Recording medium having a first area for storing an audio title set and a second area for storing a still picture set and apparatus for processing the recorded information

ABSTRACT

A recording medium has a first area storing an audio title set. The audio title set contains a plurality of audio objects including a first audio object and a second audio object. The first audio object consists of first packs having audio data. The second audio object includes second packs having audio data and a third pack having real-time information related to the audio data in the second packs. The recording medium has a second area storing a still-picture set. The still-picture set includes a fourth pack having still-picture data related to the audio data in the first packs and the audio data in the second packs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a recording medium such as a digital signalrecording disc, a digital video disc, a digital versatile disc, or an ICmemory. Also, this invention relates to a signal encoding apparatus.Furthermore, this invention relates to a signal decoding apparatus. Inaddition, this invention relates to a method of signal transmission.

2. Description of the Related Art

Optical discs for storing information include digital video discs anddigital versatile discs (DVD's). A standard DVD stores a combination ofan audio signal and a video signal. The audio-signal recording capacityof the standard DVD is significantly smaller than the video-signalrecording capacity thereof. It is difficult to manage time-relatedinformation of the audio signal recorded on the standard DVD. It isdifficult to read out information of the titles of tunes represented bythe audio signal recorded on the standard DVD.

In the standard DVD, each video contents block unit has a sequence ofpacks including a navigation control pack, video packs, and audio packs.During playback, the reproduction of information from video packs andaudio packs is controlled in response to information in a navigationcontrol pack. Accordingly, the standard DVD is not suited for arecording medium mainly storing an audio signal.

Generally, it is important to maintain a continuity of the contents ofan audio signal during playback. In the standard DVD, a unit of timemanagement corresponds to one video frame.

Therefore, if an audio signal is recorded on the standard DVD, it isdifficult to manage the real time concerning the contents of the audiosignal. This is disadvantageous to the maintenance of a continuity ofthe audio contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of this invention to provide an improved recordingmedium.

It is a second object of this invention to provide an improved signalencoding apparatus.

It is a third object of this invention to provide an improved signaldecoding apparatus.

It is a fourth object of this invention to provide an improved method ofsignal transmission.

A first aspect of this invention provides a recording medium comprisinga first area storing an audio title set containing a plurality of audioobjects including a first audio object and a second audio object, thefirst audio object consisting of first packs having audio data, thesecond audio object including second packs having audio data and a thirdpack having real-time information related to the audio data in thesecond packs; and a second area storing a still-picture set including afourth pack having still-picture data related to the audio data in thefirst packs and the audio data in the second packs.

A second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title set contains anaudio object set having the plurality of the audio objects, and theaudio title set has audio title set information in a place near alocation of the audio object set, the audio title set informationmanaging the audio object set.

A third aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof,and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title set informationincludes an audio title set information management table.

A fourth aspect of this invention is based on the third aspect thereof,and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title set informationmanagement table includes attribute data for reproducing the audio datain the first packs and the audio data in the second packs as an analogsignal.

A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the fourth aspect thereof,and provides a recording medium wherein the attribute data represents acoefficient for mixing multiple-channel audio data down into 2-channelaudio data.

A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the third aspect thereof,and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title set informationmanagement table includes attribute data for indicating a still picturerepresented by the still-picture data in the fourth pack.

A seventh aspect of this invention is based on the second aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title setinformation includes information for managing a still picturerepresented by the still-picture data in the fourth pack.

An eighth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title setinformation includes information for searching for a still picturerepresented by the still-picture data in the fourth pack.

A ninth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof,and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title set informationincludes information for temporally controlling a still picturerepresented by the still-picture data in the fourth pack.

A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the second aspect thereof,and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title set informationincludes mode identification information representing a mode selectedfrom among a mode corresponding to reproduction of a still picture on a“browsable pictures” and “sequential” basis, a mode corresponding toreproduction of a still picture on a “browsable pictures” and “random”basis, a mode corresponding to reproduction of a still picture on a“slide shows” and “sequential” basis, and a mode corresponding toreproduction of a still picture on a “slide shows” and “random” basis.

An eleventh aspect of this invention is based on the second aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title setinformation includes a audio title set program chain information table.

A twelfth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title setprogram chain information table represents an encoding mode related tothe audio data in the first packs and the audio data in the secondpacks.

A thirteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title setprogram chain information table includes program chain information forcontinuous reproduction of the audio data in the first packs and theaudio data in the second packs.

A fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title setprogram chain information table includes bit shift data related to bitshift from which the audio data in the first packs and the audio data inthe second packs result.

A fifteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the audio title setprogram chain information table includes information representingwhether each of the audio objects corresponds to the first audio objector the second audio object.

A sixteenth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the first packs and thesecond packs include attribute data for reproducing the audio data inthe first packs and the audio data in the second packs as an analogsignal.

A seventeenth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein one of the third packand the fourth pack includes attribute data for managing a copyrightrelated to a still picture represented by the still-picture data in thefourth pack.

An eighteenth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein one of the third packand the fourth pack includes side information for page control of astill picture represented by the still-picture data in the fourth pack.

A nineteenth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the audio data in thefirst packs and the audio data in the second packs represents a programstream conforming with MPEG2 standards.

A twentieth aspect of this invention provides a recording medium havingan area storing a still-picture set including at least one still-pictureunit, the still-picture unit including at least one still-pictureobject, the still-picture object having a still-picture pack includingstill-picture data.

A twenty-first aspect of this invention is based on the twentieth aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the still-picture sethas still-picture set information in a place near a location of astill-picture object set, the still-picture set information managing thestill-picture object set.

A twenty-second aspect of this invention provides a recording mediumhaving an area storing a still-picture set including a plurality ofstill-picture objects including a first still-picture object and asecond still-picture object, the first still-picture object having astill-picture pack, the first still-picture object being substantiallyvoid of a highlight information pack and a sub-picture pack, the secondstill-picture object having a highlight information pack, a sub-picturepack, and a still-picture pack.

A twenty-third aspect of this invention is based on the twenty-secondaspect thereof, and provides a recording medium wherein thestill-picture pack has a pack header and a still-picture packet, and thestill-picture packet has a packet header and still-picture data, thepacket header having information representing whether or not thestill-picture pack is a first pack related to a still picture.

A twenty-fourth aspect of this invention is based on the twenty-secondaspect thereof, and provides a recording medium wherein thestill-picture pack has a pack header and a still-picture packet, and thestill-picture packet has a packet header and still-picture data, thepacket header having information representing whether or not thestill-picture pack is a first pack in a still-picture object.

A twenty-fifth aspect of this invention is based on the twenty-secondaspect thereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the sub-picturepack has a pack header and a sub-picture packet, and the sub-picturepacket has a packet header and sub-picture data, the packet headerhaving information representing whether or not the sub-picture pack is afirst pack in a sub-picture unit.

A twenty-sixth aspect of this invention is based on the twenty-secondaspect thereof, and provides a recording medium wherein the sub-picturepack has a pack header and a sub-picture packet, and the sub-picturepacket has a packet header and sub-picture data, the packet headerhaving information representing whether or not the sub-picture pack is afirst pack in a sub-picture object set.

A twenty-seventh aspect of this invention is based on the first aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium wherein one of the audio titleset and the still-picture set includes information of a still-picturecontrol command.

A twenty-eighth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspectthereof, and provides a recording medium further comprising a third areastoring a simple audio manager related to the audio information in thefirst packs and the audio information in the second packs, and a fourtharea storing an audio manager related to the audio information in thefirst packs and the audio information in the second packs.

A twenty-ninth aspect of this invention provides a signal encodingapparatus comprising means for receiving audio data, real-timeinformation, and still-picture data; and means for encoding the audiodata, the real-time information, and the still-picture data into a datastream including an audio title set and a still-picture set, the audiotitle set containing a plurality of audio objects including a firstaudio object and a second audio object, the first audio objectconsisting of first packs having first portions of the audio data, thesecond audio object including second packs having second portions of theaudio data and a third pack having a portion of the real-timeinformation related to the second portions of the audio data in thesecond packs, the still-picture set including a fourth pack having aportion of the still-picture data related to the first portions of theaudio data in the first packs and the second portions of the audio datain the second packs.

A thirtieth aspect of this invention provides a signal decodingapparatus comprising means for decoding a data stream into audio data,real-time information, and still-picture data; and means for outputtingthe audio data, the real-time information, and the still-picture data;wherein the data stream includes an audio title set and a still-pictureset, the audio title set containing a plurality of audio objectsincluding a first audio object and a second audio object, the firstaudio object consisting of first packs having first portions of theaudio data, the second audio object including second packs having secondportions of the audio data and a third pack having a portion of thereal-time information related to the second portions of the audio datain the second packs, the still-picture set including a fourth packhaving a portion of the still-picture data related to the first portionsof the audio data in the first packs and the second portions of theaudio data in the second packs.

A thirty-first aspect of this invention provides a method of signaltransmission which comprises the steps of generating a data stream;transmitting the data stream through a medium; wherein the data streamincludes an audio title set and a still-picture set, the audio title setcontaining a plurality of audio objects including a first audio objectand a second audio object, the first audio object consisting of firstpacks having first portions of the audio data, the second audio objectincluding second packs having second portions of the audio data and athird pack having a portion of the real-time information related to thesecond portions of the audio data in the second packs, the still-pictureset including a fourth pack having a portion of the still-picture datarelated to the first portions of the audio data in the first packs andthe second portions of the audio data in the second packs.

A thirty-second aspect of this invention provides a recording mediumstoring a computer program for encoding audio data, real-timeinformation, and still-picture data into a data stream including anaudio title set and a still-picture set, the audio title set containinga plurality of audio objects including a first audio object and a secondaudio object, the first audio object consisting of first packs havingfirst portions of the audio data, the second audio object includingsecond packs having second portions of the audio data and a third packhaving a portion of the real-time information related to the secondportions of the audio data in the second packs, the still-picture setincluding a fourth pack having a portion of the still-picture datarelated to the first portions of the audio data in the first packs andthe second portions of the audio data in the second packs.

A thirty-third aspect of this invention provides a recording mediumstoring a computer program for decoding a data stream into audio data,real-time information, and still-picture data, wherein the data streamincludes an audio title set and a still-picture set, the audio title setcontaining a plurality of audio objects including a first audio objectand a second audio object, the first audio object consisting of firstpacks having first portions of the audio data, the second audio objectincluding second packs having second portions of the audio data and athird pack having a portion of the real-time information related to thesecond portions of the audio data in the second packs, the still-pictureset including a fourth pack having a portion of the still-picture datarelated to the first portions of the audio data in the first packs andthe second portions of the audio data in the second packs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the signal recording format of a DVD-Video.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the signal recording format of a DVD-Audioaccording to a first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the structure of an AMG area in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS area in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the structure of an AMGI area in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-ATRT area in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-ATR area in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the structure of an ATSI area in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the structure of an ATSI-MAT area in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the structure of an ATSM-AST-ATR area in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-AST-ATRT area in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-AST-ATR area in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of a sequence of packs.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the structure of an audio pack A or a video packV.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of the structure of an audio control pack A-CONT.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the structure of an ACD area in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of the indication of an English-added Japanese tunename.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of the structure of an ASD area in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of a sequence of packs.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of the structure of an AMGI area in a secondembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of the details of TOC information in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a diagram of the structure of an ATSI area in a thirdembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of the signal recording format of a DVD-Audioaccording to a fifth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram of a sequence of packs.

FIG. 25 is a diagram of the signal recording format of a DVD-Van.

FIG. 26 is a diagram of the signal recording format of a DVD-Video.

FIG. 27 is a diagram of the signal recording format of a DVD-Avd.

FIG. 28 is a diagram of the structure of an AOTI-AOB-ATR area.

FIG. 29 is a diagram of a linear PCM audio pack private header.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of an audio-signal encoding apparatusaccording to a sixth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram of a signal processing circuit in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS area in a seventhembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram of the structure of an AOTT-AOBS area.

FIG. 34 is a diagram of a sequence of packs in an AOTT-AOB area.

FIG. 35 is a diagram of the structure of a linear PCM audio pack.

FIG. 36 is a diagram of the structure of a private header in the linearPCM audio pack of FIG. 35.

FIGS. 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43 are diagrams of the structures ofUPC/EAN-ISRC data which correspond to different UPC/EAN-ISRC numbers,respectively.

FIG. 44 is a diagram of an unreduced state of 24-bit signal samples inaudio channels Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4, Ch5, and Ch6.

FIG. 45 is a diagram of a reduction-resultant state of signal sampleswhich originates from the unreduced state in FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a diagram of the structure of a real-time information pack.

FIG. 47 is a diagram of the structure of a still-picture pack.

FIG. 48 is a diagram of the structure of an ATSI-MAT area.

FIG. 49 is a diagram of the structure of an AOTT-AOB-ATR area.

FIG. 50 is a diagram of channel assignment.

FIG. 51 is a diagram of the structure of an AOTT-VOB-AST-ATR area.

FIG. 52 is a diagram of the structure of a 288-byte area for multiplechannel audio data down mix coefficients ATS-DM-COEFT#0-#15 in FIG. 48.

FIG. 53 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-SPCT-ATR area.

FIG. 54 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PGCIT area.

FIG. 55 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PGCITI area.

FIG. 56 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PGCI-SRP area.

FIG. 57 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PGC-CAT area.

FIG. 58 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PGCI area.

FIG. 59 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PGC-GI area.

FIG. 60 is a diagram of the structure of ATS-PGC contents.

FIG. 61 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PGIT area.

FIG. 62 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PGI area.

FIG. 63 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PG-CNT area.

FIG. 64 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-C-PBIT area.

FIG. 65 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-C-PBI area.

FIG. 66 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-C-TY area.

FIG. 67 is a diagram of the structure of an ATSI area.

FIG. 68 is a block diagram of an audio-signal encoding apparatusaccording to an eighth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 69 is a block diagram of a DVD-Audio player including anaudio-signal decoding apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 70 is an operation flow diagram of a DVD-Audio player including anaudio-signal decoding apparatus according to a tenth embodiment of thisinvention.

FIG. 71 is a block diagram of a packing apparatus according to aneleventh embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 72 is a flowchart of a first segment of a control program for acontrol circuit in FIG. 71.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart of the details of a first block in FIG. 72.

FIG. 74 is a flowchart of the details of a second block in FIG. 72.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart of a second segment of the control program forthe control circuit in FIG. 71.

FIG. 76 is a block diagram of an unpacking apparatus according to atwelfth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 77 is a flowchart of a first segment of a control program for acontrol circuit in FIG. 76.

FIG. 78 is a flowchart of a second segment of the control program forthe control circuit in FIG. 76.

FIG. 79 is a flowchart of the details of a first block in FIG. 78.

FIG. 80 is a flowchart of the details of a second block in FIG. 78.

FIG. 81 is a diagram of the structure of an ASVSI area.

FIG. 82 is a diagram of the structure of an ASVUI area.

FIG. 83 is a diagram of the structure of an ASV-ADMAP area.

FIG. 84 is a diagram of the structure of an ASVOBS area.

FIG. 85 is a diagram of the structure of an ASVOBS area.

FIG. 86 is a diagram of the structure of a highlight information pack.

FIG. 87 is a diagram of the structure of an ASV button informationtable.

FIG. 88 is a diagram of the structure of a still-picture pack.

FIG. 89 is a diagram of the structure of the packet header of astill-picture packet.

FIG. 90 is a diagram of the structure of a sub-picture pack.

FIG. 91 is a diagram of the structure of the packet header of asub-picture packet.

FIG. 92 is a diagram of a process of combining a main picture, a subpicture, and highlight information into a mixed picture.

FIG. 93 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS area.

FIG. 94 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-ASV-PBIT area.

FIG. 95 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-PG-ASV-PBI-SRP area.

FIG. 96 is a diagram of the structure of an ASV-DMOD area.

FIG. 97 is a diagram of the structure of an ATS-ASV-PBI area.

FIG. 98 is a diagram of the structure of an ASV display list.

FIG. 99 is a diagram of the structure of an ASV display list.

FIG. 100 is a diagram of the structure of an ASV display list.

FIG. 101 is a diagram of the structure of an ASV display list.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

In general, a DVD-Audio (a digital video disc-audio or a digitalversatile disc-audio) according to a first embodiment of this inventionstores a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The first audiosignal is of a 2-channel stereophonic type. The second audio signal isof a multiple-channel type such as a 5-channel type, a 6-channel type,or an 8-channel type.

The DVD-Audio may store only the multiple-channel audio signal. Duringplayback of information from such a DVD-Audio, a 2-channel audio signalcan be generated from a reproduced multiple-channel audio signal inresponse to coefficients of down mix. The generated 2-channel audiosignal is defined as being provided by simplified playback or simplifiedreproduction.

FIG. 1 shows the signal recording format of a DVD-Video (a digital videodisc-video or a digital versatile disc-video). As shown in FIG. 1, theDVD-Video has a first area assigned to a video manager VMG. The VMG areais followed by a sequence of second and later areas assigned to videotitle sets VTS respectively.

Each VTS area has a sequence of an area assigned to VTS informationVTSI, one or more areas assigned to respective video contents block setsVCBS, and an area assigned to VTS information VTSI. The first videocontents block set VCBS stores menu information for indicating a menupicture.

Each VCBS area has a sequence of areas assigned to video contents blocksVCB respectively. Each video contents block VCB corresponds to one videotitle.

Each VCB area has a sequence of areas corresponding to chaptersrespectively. Each chapter contains information representing a part of atitle which is denoted by PTT.

Each chapter has a sequence of cells. Each cell has a sequence of VCBunits VCBU. Each VCB unit VCBU has a sequence of packs. Each pack has2,048 bytes.

In each VCB unit VCBU, a first pack is a control pack CONT followed by asequence of packs including video packs V, audio packs A, and subpicture packs SP. The control pack CONT is assigned to information forcontrolling video packs V following the control pack CONT. The controlinformation includes video-pack-synchronizing information. The videopacks V are assigned to video data and non-audio data such as closedcaption (CC) data. Each audio pack A is assigned to audio data.

FIG. 2 shows the signal recording format of a DVD-Audio (a digital videodisc-audio or a digital versatile disc-audio) according to the firstembodiment of this invention. The DVD-Audio is compatible with aDVD-Video (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2, the DVD-Audio has a firstarea assigned to an audio manager AMG. The AMG area is followed by asequence of second and later areas assigned to audio title sets ATSrespectively.

Each ATS area has a sequence of an area assigned to ATS informationATSI, one or more areas assigned to respective audio contents block setsACBS, and an area assigned to ATS information ATSI. The ATS informationATSI indicates play time lengths of respective tunes represented byaudio data in the audio contents block sets ACBS. The play time lengthsof the respective tunes are expressed in terms of real time. The firstaudio contents block set ACBS stores menu information for indicating amenu picture.

Each ACBS area has a sequence of areas assigned to audio contents blocksACB respectively. Each audio contents block ACB corresponds to one audiotitle.

Each ACB area has a sequence of areas corresponding to tracksrespectively. Each track contains information representing a part of atitle which is denoted by PTT.

Each track has a sequence of indexes (cells). Each index has a sequenceof ACB units ACBU. Each ACB unit ACBU has a sequence of packs. Each packhas 2,048 bytes.

In each ACB unit ACBU, a first pack is an audio control pack A-CONTfollowed by a sequence of packs including audio packs A1 and A2 andvideo packs V. The audio control pack A-CONT is assigned to informationfor managing an audio signal (audio data) in audio packs A1 and A2following the audio control pack A-CONT. The managing information in theaudio control pack A-CONT is basically similar to TOC (table ofcontents) information in a compact disc (CD). The managing informationcontains audio-pack-synchronizing information. Each audio pack A1 or A2is assigned to audio data. The video packs V are assigned to video dataand non-audio data such as closed caption (CC) data. The video packs Vmay be omitted from the ACB unit ACBU.

It should be noted that each ACB unit ACBU may further include a controlpack CONT.

As shown in FIG. 3, the AMG area (see FIG. 2) stores audio managerinformation AMGI, an audio contents block set AMGM-ACBS for an AMG menu,and backup audio manager information AMGI. The audio manager informationAMGI may have TOC (table of contents) information. The audio contentsblock set AMGM-ACBS has presentation control information PCI and datasearch information DSI which are control information piecesrespectively.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ATS area (see FIG. 2) stores audio title setinformation ATSI, an audio contents block set ATSM-ACBS for an ATS menu,an audio contents block set ATST-ACBS for an ATS title, and backup audiotitle set information ATSI. The audio title set information ATSI mayhave TOC (table of contents) information. Each of the audio contentsblock sets ATSM-ACBS and ATST-ACBS has presentation control informationPCI and data search information DSI.

As shown in FIG. 5, the audio manager information AMGI (see FIG. 3) hasa management table AMGI-MAT therefor, a title search pointer tableT-SRPT, an audio manager menu program chain information unit tableAMGM-PGCI-UT, a parental management information table PTL-MAIT, an audiotitle set attribute table ATS-ATRT, a text data manager TXTDT-MG, anaudio manager menu cell (index) address table AMGM-C-ADT, and an audiomanager menu audio contents block unit address map AMGM-ACBU-ADMAP.

As shown in FIG. 6, the audio title set attribute table ATS-ATRT (seeFIG. 5) has audio title set attribute table information ATS-ATRTI, audiotitle set attribute search pointers ATS-ATR-SRP#1, ATS-ATR-SRP#2, . . ., ATS-ATR-SRP#n for respective “n” audio title sets ATS, and audio titleset attribute data pieces ATS-ATR-#1, ATS-ATR-#2, . . . , ATS-ATR-#n forthe respective “n” audio title sets ATS.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the audio title set attribute data piecesATS-ATR-#1, ATS-ATR-#2, . . . , ATS-ATR-#n (see FIG. 6) represents anend address ATS-ATR-EA of the audio title set attribute, a categoryATS-CAT of the audio title set, and audio title set attributeinformation ATS-ATRI. The end address ATS-ATR-EA has 4 bytes. Thecategory ATS-CAT has 4 bytes. The audio title set attribute informationATS-ATRI has 768 bytes.

As shown in FIG. 8, the audio title set information ATSI (see FIG. 4)has a management table ATSI-MAT for the audio title set informationATSI, a part-of-title search pointer table ATS-PTT-SRPT for the audiotitle set, a program chain information table ATS-PGCIT for the audiotitle set, a PGCI unit table ATSM-PGCI-UT for the audio title set menu,a time map table ATS-TMAPT for the audio title set, a cell (index)address table ATSM-C-ADT for the audio title set menu, an audio contentsblock unit address map ATSM-ACBU-ADMAP for the audio title set menu, acell (index) address table ATS-C-ADT for the audio title set, and anaudio contents block unit address map ATS-ACBU-ADMAP for the audio titleset.

As shown in FIG. 9, the audio title set information management tableATSI-MAT (see FIG. 8) has an identifier ATS-ID for the audio title set,an end address ATS-EA of the audio title set, an end address ATSI-EA forthe audio title set information, a version number VERN of thespecifications of the DVD-Audio, a category ATS-CAT of the audio titleset, an end address ATSI-MAT-EA of the audio title set informationmanagement table, a start address ATSM-ACBS-SA of the ATS menu audiocontents block set, a start address ATSA-ACBS-SA of the ATS title audiocontents block set, a start address ATS-PTT-SRPT-SA of the audio titleset part-of-title search pointer table, a start address ATS-PGCIT-SA ofthe audio title set program chain information table, a start addressATSM-PGCI-UT-SA of the audio title set menu program chain informationunit table, a start address ATS-TMAPT-SA of the audio title set time maptable, a start address ATSM-C-ADT-SA of the audio title set menu celladdress table, a start address ATSM-ACBU-ADMAP-SA of the ATS menu audiocontents block unit address map, an ATS menu audio stream attributeATSM-AST-ATR, the number ATS-AST-Ns of audio streams in the audio titleset, and an ATS audio stream attribute table ATS-AST-ATRT.

As shown in FIG. 10, the ATS menu audio stream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR(see FIG. 9) has a sequence of 8 bytes, that is, 64 bits b63, b62, b61,. . . , b1, b0. A set of the bits b63, b62, and b61 represents an audioencoding mode selected from among a Dolby AC-3 encoding mode, anencoding mode corresponding to MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 without any extensionbit stream, an encoding mode corresponding to MPEG-2 with an extensionbit stream, a first linear PCM audio encoding mode, and a second linearPCM audio encoding mode. The second linear PCM audio encoding mode is ofa type containing a sub type corresponding to 2 channels plus 5channels, a sub type corresponding to 2 channels plus 6 channels, and asub type corresponding to 2 channels plus 8 channels. Specifically, abit sequence of “000” is assigned to the Dolby AC-3 encoding mode. A bitsequence of “010” is assigned to the encoding mode corresponding toMPEG-1 or MPEG-2 without any extension bit stream. A bit sequence of“001” is assigned to the encoding mode corresponding to MPEG-2 with anextension bit stream. A bit sequence of “100” is assigned to the firstlinear PCM audio encoding mode. A bit sequence of “101” is assigned tothe second linear PCM audio encoding mode.

A set of the bits b55 and b54 in the ATS menu audio stream attributeATSM-AST-ATR represents information of quantization/dynamic rangecontrol (DRC). When the audio encoding mode is “000”, the information ofquantization/DRC is set to “11”. When the audio encoding mode is “010”or “011”, a bit sequence of “00” which relates to the information ofquantization/DRC represents the absence of dynamic control data from theMPEG audio stream. When the audio encoding mode is “010” or “011”, a bitsequence of “01” which relates to the information of quantization/DRCrepresents the presence of dynamic control data in the MPEG audiostream. When the audio encoding mode is “100” or “101”, a bit sequenceof “00” which relates to the information of quantization/DRC representsthat each of channels (two stereophonic channels) has 16 bits for everysignal sample. When the audio encoding mode is “100” or “101”, a bitsequence of “01” which relates to the information of quantization/DRCrepresents that each of channels (two stereophonic channels) has 20 bitsfor every signal sample. When the audio encoding mode is “100” or “101”,a bit sequence of “10” which relates to the information ofquantization/DRC represents that each of channels (two stereophonicchannels) has 24 bits for every signal sample.

A set of the bits b53 and b52 in the ATS menu audio stream attributeATSM-AST-ATR represents a sampling frequency “fs” related to each of twostereophonic channels. Specifically, a bit sequence of “00” indicatesthat the sampling frequency “fs” is equal to 48 kHz. A bit sequence of“01” indicates that the sampling frequency “fs” is equal to 96 kHz. Abit sequence of “10” indicates that the sampling frequency “fs” is equalto 192 kHz.

A set of the bits b50, b49, and b48 in the ATS menu audio streamattribute ATSM-AST-ATR represents the number of audio channels.Specifically, a bit sequence of “000” indicates that there is only onechannel (“monaural”). A bit sequence of “001” indicates that there aretwo stereophonic channels. A bit sequence of “010” indicates that thereare three channels. A bit sequence of “011” indicates that there arefour channels. A bit sequence of “100” indicates that there are twostereophonic channels plus five channels. A bit sequence of “101”indicates that there are two stereophonic channels plus six channels. Abit sequence of “110” indicates that there are seven channels. A bitsequence of “111” indicates that there are two stereophonic channelsplus eight channels.

As shown in FIG. 11, the ATS audio stream attribute table ATS-AST-ATRT(see FIG. 9) has attributes ATS-AST-ATR of respective ATS audio streamsATS-AST#0, ATS-AST#1, . . . , ATS-AST#7. Each of the ATS audio streamattributes ATS-AST-ATR has 8 bytes.

Accordingly, the total number of bytes representing the ATS audio streamattribute table ATS-AST-ATRT is equal to 64.

As shown in FIG. 12, each ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR (seeFIG. 11) has a sequence of 8 bytes, that is, 64 bits b63, b62, b61, . .. , b1, b0. A set of the bits b63, b62, and b61 in the ATS audio streamattribute ATS-AST-ATR represents an audio encoding mode as in the ATSmenu audio stream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR (see FIG. 10). A set of thebits b55 and b54 in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATRrepresents information of quantization/dynamic range control (DRC) as inthe ATS menu audio stream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR (see FIG. 10). A set ofthe bits b53 and b52 in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATRrepresents a sampling frequency “fs” as in the ATS menu audio streamattribute ATSM-AST-ATR (see FIG. 10). A set of the bits b50, b49, andb48 in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR represents the numberof audio channels as in the ATS menu audio stream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR(see FIG. 10).

The bit b60 in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR representsinformation of multichannel extension ME. A set of the bits b59 and b58in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR represents an audio type.

A set of the bits b57 and b56 in the ATS audio stream attributeATS-AST-ATR represents an audio application mode. Specifically, a bitsequence of “01” indicates a karaoke mode. A bit sequence of “10”indicates a surround mode. A bit sequence of “11” indicates a 2-channelplus surround mode. In this embodiment, the bits b57 and b56 are set to,for example, “11” indicating the 2-channel plus surround mode.

A set of the bits b47 and b46 in the ATS audio stream attributeATS-AST-ATR represents information of thinning (decimating) the relatedaudio stream AST. Specifically, a bit sequence of “00” indicates thatthinning corresponds to “full” (1/1, absence of thinning or decimating).A bit sequence of “01” indicates that thinning or decimating correspondsto “half” (½). A bit sequence of “10” indicates that thinning ordecimating corresponds to “quarter” (¼).

A set of the bits b45 and b44 in the ATS audio stream attributeATS-AST-ATR represents information of thinning (decimating) data in therelated low frequency effect (LFE) channel. Specifically, a bit sequenceof “00” indicates that thinning or decimating corresponds to “full”(1/1, absence of thinning or decimating). A bit sequence of “01”indicates that thinning or decimating corresponds to “half” (½). A bitsequence of “10” indicates that thinning or decimating corresponds to“quarter” (¼).

For the audio stream AST#0, the bits b50, b49, and b48 in the ATS menuaudio stream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR (see FIG. 10) are fixed to “001”indicating that there are two stereophonic channels.

For the audio stream AST#0, the bits b50, b49, and b48 in the ATS menuaudio stream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR (see FIG. 10) are fixed to “010”indicating that there are three channels.

In the case where a recorded audio signal of one title has twostereophonic channels plus six channels, 2-channel stereophonic signalsare assigned to the audio stream AST#0 and 3-channel front signals among6-channel signals are assigned to the audio stream AST#1, and 2-channelrear signals and a 1-channel LFE signal are assigned to the audio streamAST#2. In this case, a signal of “3” indicating use of three audiostreams (the audio stream AST#0, AST#1, and AST#2) is placed in themanagement table AMGI-MAT within the audio manager information AMGI ofFIG. 5 and also the management table ATSI-MAT within the audio title setinformation ATSI of FIG. 8.

An explanation will be given of the case where an original analog audiosignal has two stereophonic channels plus six channels, and the originalanalog audio signal is processed into a digital audio signal underconditions indicated below before the digital audio signal is recorded.The 2-channel analog stereophonic signals are sampled at a frequency“fs” of 48 kHz, and are quantized with a quantization bit number of 20.The 3-channel analog front signals are sampled at a frequency “fs” of 96kHz, and are quantized with a quantization bit number of 16. The2-channel analog rear signals and the 1-channel analog LFE signal aresampled at a frequency “fs” of 48 kHz, and are quantized with aquantization bit number of 16. The resultant 8-channel digital signalsare unthinned or undecimated. In this case, information pieces ofattributes of stereophonic two channels are set in the ATS menu audiostream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR of FIG. 10 as follows. The bits b63, b62,and b61 in the ATS menu audio stream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR are set to“101” representing the second linear PCM audio encoding mode which is ofthe type containing the sub type corresponding to 2 channels plus 5channels, the sub type corresponding to 2 channels plus 6 channels, andthe sub type corresponding to 2 channels plus 8 channels. The bits b55and b54 in the ATS menu audio stream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR are set to“01” representing that each of two stereophonic channels has 20 bits forevery signal sample. The bits b53 and b52 in the ATS menu audio streamattribute ATSM-AST-ATR are set to “00” indicating that the samplingfrequency “fs” is equal to 48 kHz. The bits b50, b49, and b48 in the ATSmenu audio stream attribute ATSM-AST-ATR are set to “101” indicatingthat there are two stereophonic channels plus six channels.

In the above-mentioned case, information pieces of attributes are set inthe ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR of FIG. 12 for the audiostream AST#0 as follows. The bits b63, b62, and b61 in the ATS audiostream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “101” representing the secondlinear PCM audio encoding mode which is of the type containing the subtype corresponding to 2 channels plus 5 channels, the sub typecorresponding to 2 channels plus 6 channels, and the sub typecorresponding to 2 channels plus 8 channels. The bits b55 and b54 in theATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “01” representing thateach of two stereophonic channels has 20 bits for every signal sample.The bits b53 and b52 in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR areset to “00” indicating that the sampling frequency “fs” is equal to 48kHz. The bits b50, b49, and b48 in the ATS audio stream attributeATS-AST-ATR are set to “001” indicating that there are two stereophonicchannels. The bits b57 and b56 in the ATS audio stream attributeATS-AST-ATR are set to “11” indicating the 2-channel plus surround mode.As information of thinning or decimating the related audio stream AST#0,the bits b47 and b46 in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR areset to “00” indicating that thinning or decimating corresponds to “full”(1/1, absence of thinning or decimating). As information of thinning ordecimating data in the related LFE channel, the bits b45 and b44 in theATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “00” indicating thatthinning or decimating corresponds to “full” (1/1, absence of thinningor decimating).

In the above-mentioned case, information pieces of attributes are set inthe ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR of FIG. 12 for the audiostream AST#1 as follows. The bits b63, b62, and b61 in the ATS audiostream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “101” representing the secondlinear PCM audio encoding mode which is of the type containing the subtype corresponding to 2 channels plus 5 channels, the sub typecorresponding to 2 channels plus 6 channels, and the sub typecorresponding to 2 channels plus 8 channels. The bits b55 and b54 in theATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “00” representing thateach channel has 16 bits for every signal sample. The bits b53 and b52in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “01” indicatingthat the sampling frequency “fs” is equal to 96 kHz. The bits b50, b49,and b48 in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “010”indicating that there are three channels. The bits b57 and b56 in theATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “11” indicating the2-channel plus surround mode. As information of thinning or decimatingthe related audio stream AST#1, the bits b47 and b46 in the ATS audiostream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “00” indicating that thinning ordecimating corresponds to “full” (1/1, absence of thinning ordecimating). As information of thinning or decimating data in therelated LFE channel, the bits b45 and b44 in the ATS audio streamattribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “00” indicating that thinning ordecimating corresponds to “full” (1/1, absence of thinning ordecimating).

In the above-mentioned case, information pieces of attributes are set inthe ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR of FIG. 12 for the audiostream AST#2 as follows. The bits b63, b62, and b61 in the ATS audiostream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “101” representing the secondlinear PCM audio encoding mode which is of the type containing the subtype corresponding to 2 channels plus 5 channels, the sub typecorresponding to 2 channels plus 6 channels, and the sub typecorresponding to 2 channels plus 8 channels. The bits b55 and b54 in theATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “00” representing thateach channel has 16 bits for every signal sample. The bits b53 and b52in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “00” indicatingthat the sampling frequency “fs” is equal to 48 kHz. The bits b50, b49,and b48 in the ATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “010”indicating that there are three channels. The bits b57 and b56 in theATS audio stream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “11” indicating the2-channel plus surround mode. As information of thinning or decimatingthe related audio stream AST#2, the bits b47 and b46 in the ATS audiostream attribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “00” indicating that thinning ordecimating corresponds to “full” (1/1, absence of thinning ordecimating). As information of thinning or decimating data in therelated LFE channel, the bits b45 and b44 in the ATS audio streamattribute ATS-AST-ATR are set to “00” indicating that thinning ordecimating corresponds to “full” (1/1, absence of thinning ordecimating).

With reference to FIG. 13, there is a sequence of packs containingcontrol packs CONT, audio packs A, audio control packs A-CONT, and videopacks V. Audio streams are recorded in the audio packs A. Each VCB unitVCBU has a set of successive packs which corresponds to a time length of0.4 second to 1.0 second. The total number of packs in one VCB unit VCBUis arbitrary. The first pack in each VCB unit VCBU is a control packCONT. On the other hand, each ACB unit ACBU has a set of successivepacks which corresponds to a time length of 0.5 second to 1.0 second.The total number of packs in one ACB unit ACBU is arbitrary. The firstpack in each ACB unit ACBU is an audio control pack A-CONT. An audiocontrol pack A-CONT in each ACB unit ACBU in a DVD-Audio is located at aplace corresponding to a third pack in a VCB unit VCBU in a DVD-Video.

Basically, audio control packs A-CONT are spaced at intervalscorresponding to 0.5 second. In the boundary between indexes (cells),audio control packs A-CONT are spaced at intervals corresponding to atime of 0.5 second to 1.0 second.

Time (GOF, group of audio frames) related to audio is represented byeach audio control pack A-CONT, and a related data position is decidedby an audio frame number, a first access unit pointer, and the number offrame headers. Audio packs A immediately before audio control packsA-CONT may be padded to provide 0.5-second intervals between the audiocontrol packs A-CONT.

Audio signal segments stored in respective neighboring audio packs Ahave a predetermined relation with each other. In the case where arecorded audio signal is of the stereophonic type, neighboring audiopacks A store a left-channel signal segment and a right-channel signalsegment, respectively. In the case where a recorded audio signal is ofthe multiple-channel type (the 5-channel type, the 6-channel type, orthe 8-channel type), neighboring audio packs A store different channelsignal segments, respectively.

Each video pack V stores information of a picture which relates to audiosignal segments in audio packs A near the video pack V.

As shown in FIG. 14, each of audio packs A and video packs V has asequence of 4-byte pack start information, 6-byte SCR (system clockreference) information, 3-byte mux rate information, 1-byte stuffingdata, and 2,034-byte packet-form user data. Thus, each of audio packs Aand video packs V has 2,048 bytes. In each audio pack A or video pack V,pack start information, SCR information, mux rate information, andstuffing data compose a 14-byte pack header. SCR information in eachaudio pack A or video pack V serves as a time stamp.

A time stamp in a first audio pack A among audio packs related to onetitle is set to “1”. Time stamps in second and later audio packs relatedto the same title are set to serial numbers “2”, “3”, “4”, . . . ,respectively. The serially-numbered time stamps enable management oftimes of audio packs A related to the same title.

As shown in FIG. 15, each audio control pack A-CONT has a sequence of a14-byte pack header, a 24-byte system header, a 1003-byte audiocharacter display (ACD) packet, and a 1007-byte audio search data (ASD)packet. The ACD packet has a sequence of a 6-byte packet header, a1-byte area assigned to sub stream identification (ID) information, a636-byte area assigned to audio character display (ACD) information, anda 360-byte reserved area. The ASD packet has a sequence of a 6-bytepacket header, a 1-byte area assigned to sub stream identification (ID)information, and a 1000-byte area assigned to audio search data (ASD).

As shown in FIG. 16, the 636-byte ACD information area has a 48-bytearea assigned to general information, a 294-byte area for a firstlanguage, and a 294-byte area for a second language. The 294-byte areafor the first language is divided into a 93-byte name space area, afirst 93-byte free space area, a second 93-byte free space area, and a15-byte data pointer area. Similarly, the 294-byte area for the secondlanguage is divided into a 93-byte name space area, a first 93-byte freespace area, a second 93-byte free space area, and a 15-byte data pointerarea. In the case where the first language is Japanese, the 93-byte namespace area for the first language stores data representing anEnglish-added Japanese tune name as shown in FIG. 17. In the case wherethe second language is English, the 93-byte name space area for thesecond language stores data representing an English tune name. The firstand second languages may be decided by the publisher of the presentDVD-Audio.

The 48-byte general information area in the ACD information area of FIG.16 has a 16-byte area assigned to service level information, a 12-bytearea assigned to language code information, a 6-byte area assigned tocharacter set code information, a 6-byte area assigned to display iteminformation, a 2-byte area assigned to information of the differencefrom the previous ACD information, and a 6-byte reserved area. The16-byte service level information represents a display size, a displaytype, a discrimination among audio, video, and sub picture SP, and astream. Characters designated by the 48-byte general information aremandatory while bit maps designated thereby are optional. The 12-bytelanguage code information has a first 2-byte information piecedesignating the first language, and a second 2-byte information piecedesignating the second language. Eight or less languages can bedesignated in one file. Regarding the first and second languages, theEnglish language is mandatory.

The 6-byte character set code information represents 15 or lesscharacter code words corresponding to language code words. The 6-bytecharacter set code information has a 1-byte information piecerepresenting whether the first and second languages are present orabsent, and also representing the types of the first and secondlanguages. For example, a first language code word corresponds to the“ISO646” standards and a second language code word corresponds to the“ISO8859-1” standards while a third language code word corresponds tothe “MS-JIS” standards.

The 6-byte display item information represents whether the free spaces(see FIG. 16) for the first and second languages and the data pointers(see FIG. 16) for the first and second languages are present or absent.The 6-byte display item information contains related ID (identification)information. It should be noted that the name spaces (see FIG. 16) forthe first and second languages are mandatory. An information piece of atitle name, an information piece of a music name, and an informationpiece of an artist name are stored in the name space areas for the firstand second languages.

As shown in FIG. 18, the 1000-byte audio search data (ASD) area (seeFIG. 15) is divided into a 16-byte area assigned to general information,an 8-byte area assigned to information of the present number, a 16-bytearea assigned to information of the present time, an 8-byte areaassigned to title set search information, an 8-byte area assigned totitle search information, a 404-byte area assigned to track searchinformation, a 408-byte area assigned to index search information, an80-byte area assigned to highlight search information, and a 52-bytereserved area.

The 8-byte present number information area in FIG. 18 is divided into a2-byte area assigned to BCD information of the present title number ofthe related title set, a 2-byte area assigned to BCD information of thepresent track number of the related title set, a 2-byte area assigned toBCD information of the present index number of the related track, and a2-byte reserved area.

The 16-byte present time information area in FIG. 18 is divided into a4-byte area assigned to BCD information of a playback time of therelated track, a 4-byte area assigned to BCD information of a remainingplayback time of the related track, a 4-byte area assigned to BCDinformation of an absolute time of the related title, and a 4-byte areaassigned to BCD information of a remaining absolute time of the relatedtitle.

The 8-byte title set search information area in FIG. 18 is divided intoa 4-byte area assigned to information of an order number of a firstsector regarding the related title set, and a 4-byte area assigned toinformation of an order number of a final sector regarding the relatedtitle set.

The 8-byte title search information area in FIG. 18 is divided into a4-byte area assigned to information of an order number of a first sectorin the related title, and a 4-byte area assigned to information of anorder number of a final sector in the related title.

The 404-byte track search information area in FIG. 18 is divided into a4-by-99-byte area assigned to information of order numbers of sectorsand order numbers of tracks in the related title, a 4-byte area assignedto information of an order number of a first track in the related title,and a 4-byte area assigned to information of an order number of a finaltrack in the related title.

The 408-byte index search information area in FIG. 18 is divided into a4-by-100-byte area assigned to information of order numbers of sectorsand order numbers of indexes in the related track, a 4-byte areaassigned to information of an order number of a first index in therelated track, and a 4-byte area assigned to information of an ordernumber of a final index in the related track.

The 80-byte highlight search information area in FIG. 18 is divided intoa 4-by-10-byte area assigned to information of order numbers ofin-sectors in the related track, and a 4-by-10-byte area assigned toinformation of order numbers of out-sectors in the related track.

With reference back to FIGS. 2 and 13, in the DVD-Audio, an audiocontrol pack A-CONT precedes a plurality of audio packs A. The audiocontrol pack A-CONT stores information for managing audio signalsegments stored in the following audio packs A. The managing informationmay be similar to TOC information in a CD. In the DVD-Audio, audio datacan be independent of video data. The DVD-Audio has a greater audiorecording capacity than that of the DVD-Video. Audio control packsA-CONT in the DVD-Audio enable management of audio-related time.Character information representing, for example, a tune name, can beread out from an audio control pack A-CONT.

In the DVD-Audio, each audio control pack A-CONT stores managinginformation (TOC information) representing a title, a start address, anda play time. During playback of the audio signal from the DVD-Audio,information requested by the user can be read out from audio controlpacks A-CONT and be indicated on a display of a DVD-Audio player. Theuser can decide a desired position of restart of playback by referringto the indicated information. Playback can be restarted from the desiredposition in response to user's request.

In the DVD-Audio, audio manager information AMGI and audio title setinformation ATSI have TOC information. Before playback of the audiosignal from the DVD-Audio, the TOC information can be read out from theDVD-Audio and be stored into a memory within a DVD-Audio player. TOCinformation requested by the user can be read out from the memory and beindicated on a display of the DVD-Audio player. The user can decide adesired position of start of playback by referring to the indicated TOCinformation. Playback can be started from the desired position inresponse to user's request.

Regarding the DVD-Audio, it is possible to implement a search for and arandom access to a title, a tune, and an index. In addition, it ispossible to implement a random access, a time search, and a tune-headsearch in unit of GOF (group of audio frames). Furthermore, it ispossible to manage title-related time, tune-related time, andindex-related time on a real-time basis.

Video packs V in the DVD-Audio make it possible to manage and indicatethe present time and the remaining play time of a tune or a title.

Concerning video data (video information) in the DVD-Audio, it ispossible to implement a search for and a random access to a title, apart-of-title PTT, and a cell. In addition, it is possible to implementa random access, a time search, and a video-head search in unit of videoframe. Furthermore, it is possible to manage title-related time,PTT-related time, and cell-related time on a real-time basis. Also, itpossible to manage and indicate the present time and the remaining playtime of a part-of-title PTT or a title.

It should be noted that the pack sequence of FIG. 13 may be replaced bya pack sequence of FIG. 19 from which video packs V and control packsCONT are omitted.

Second Embodiment

A DVD-Audio in a second embodiment of this invention is similar to aDVD-Audio in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-19 except for the followingdesign change. The DVD-Audio in the second embodiment of this inventionis loaded with audio manager information AMGI which contains TOC (tableof contents) information as shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the details of the TOC information. In theTOC information, a point of “00” to a point of “99” are assigned todifferent tunes (or different movements) respectively. For each point,that is, for each movement, the absolute time of its head is denoted by“minute” PMIN, “second” PSEC, and “frame” PFRAME. A point of “A0”corresponds to the first movement. At the point of “A0”, “second” PSECand “frame” PFRAME are “0”. A point of “A1” corresponds to the lastmovement. At the point of “A1”, “second” PSEC and “frame” PFRAME are“0”. A point of “A2” corresponds to the absolute time of a starting endof a lead-out area which is denoted by “minute” PMIN, “second” PSEC, and“frame” PFRAME. The TOC information in FIG. 21 indicates that six tunesidentified by a point of “01” to a point of “06” are recorded on theDVD-Audio.

Third Embodiment

A DVD-Audio in a third embodiment of this invention is similar to aDVD-Audio in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-19 except for the followingdesign change. The DVD-Audio in the third embodiment of this inventionis loaded with audio title set information ATSI which contains TOC(table of contents) information as shown in FIG. 22.

Fourth Embodiment

A DVD-Audio in a fourth embodiment of this invention is similar to aDVD-Audio in the embodiment of FIGS. 2-19 except for the followingdesign change. The DVD-Audio in the fourth embodiment of this inventionstores audio control packs A-CONT in which TOC (table of contents)information is recorded on a 360-byte reserved area in each ACD packet.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 23 shows the signal recording format of a DVD-Audio (digital videodisc-audio) according to a fifth embodiment of this invention. TheDVD-Audio in FIG. 23 has an area assigned to an audio title setdirectory ATS_D including a number of audio title sets ATS. TheDVD-Audio in FIG. 23 does not have any area assigned to a video titleset VTS.

The ATS_D area has an area assigned to a structure of simple audiomanager which is denoted by SAMG, an area assigned to an audio managerAMG, an area assigned to an audio manager menu AMGM, an area assigned toa first audio title set ATS<1>, and an area assigned to a second audiotitle set ATS<2>. The audio manager AMG contains audio managerinformation AMGI for managing the audio title sets ATS<1> and ATS<2>.The audio manager AMG has a structure similar to that in FIG. 3.

The audio title sets ATS<1> and ATS<2> are similar in structure. Thus,only the audio title set ATS<1> will be explained hereinafter.

As shown in FIG. 24, the audio title set ATS<1> has a sequence of packsincluding audio packs A and real-time information packs RTI. The packsequence in the audio title set ATS<1> does not have any audio controlpack A-CONT. There is about one real-time information pack RTI duringevery interval corresponding to 0.5 second. Still-picture packs SPCT maybe located at given positions in the pack sequence. The still-picturepacks SPCT are, for example, video packs V of a given type. As will beindicated later regarding an embodiment of FIG. 32, the still-picturepacks SPCT may be located in a still picture set SPS. Each of thestill-picture packs SPCT has a sequence of a pack header, a packetheader, and data representative of a still picture. For example, thereal-time information packs RTI correspond to ACD packets in audiocontrol packs A-CONT, respectively. Each of the real-time informationpacks RTI has a sequence of a pack header, a packet header, sub streamidentification information, ISRC information, private header lengthinformation, identification information for real-time information,stuffing bytes, and data representative of real time (audio characterdisplay data).

With reference back to FIG. 23, a SAPP table containing TOC informationis repetitively recorded on the structure-of-simple audio manager SAMGeight times to enable a search for the heads of the audio title setsATS<1> and ATS<2>. The structure-of-simple audio manager SAMG is definedas an independent file.

FIG. 25 shows the signal recording format of a DVD-Van (digital videodisc-video plus audio navigation). The DVD-Van in FIG. 25 has an areaassigned to a video title set directory VTS_D including a number ofvideo title sets VTS, and an area assigned to an audio navigation titleset directory ANV-TS_D. The video title set VTS corresponds to DVD videodata while the audio navigation title set ANV-TS corresponds to audionavigation data. The video title set VTS has a structure similar to thatin FIG. 1.

The VTS_D area in FIG. 25 has an area assigned to a video manager VMG,an area assigned to a video manager menu VMGM, an area assigned to afirst video title set VTS<1>, and an area assigned to a second videotitle set VTS<2>. The video manager VMG contains video managerinformation VMGI for managing the video title sets VTS<1> and VTS<2>.Each of the video title sets VTS<1> and VTS<2> has a sequence of packsincluding video packs V and audio packs A.

The ANV-TS_D area in FIG. 25 has an area assigned to an audio managerAMG, an area assigned to a first audio title set ATS<1>, and an areaassigned to a second audio title set ATS<2>. The audio manager AMGcontains audio manager information AMGI for managing the audio titlesets ATS<1> and ATS<2>. The audio manager AMG has a structure similar tothat in FIG. 3. Each of the audio title sets ATS<1> and ATS<2> has asequence of packs including audio packs A. The first audio title setATS<1> forms a pair with the first video title set VTS<1>. The secondaudio title set ATS<2> forms a pair with the second video title setVTS<2>.

FIG. 26 shows the signal recording format of a DVD-Video (digital videodisc-video). The DVD-Video in FIG. 26 has an area assigned to a videotitle set directory VTS_D. The video title set VTS corresponds to DVDvideo data. The video title set VTS has a structure similar to that inFIG. 1. The DVD-Video in FIG. 26 does not have any area assigned to anaudio title set directory ATS_D. The DVD-Video in FIG. 26 does not haveany area assigned to an audio navigation title set directory ANV-TS_D.

The VTS_D area in FIG. 26 has an area assigned to a video manager VMG,an area assigned to a video manager menu VMGM, an area assigned to afirst video title set VTS<1>, and an area assigned to a second videotitle set VTS<2>. The video manager VMG contains video managerinformation VMGI for managing the video title sets VTS<1> and VTS<2>.Each of the video title sets VTS<1>and VTS<2> has a sequence of packsincluding video packs V and audio packs A.

FIG. 27 shows the signal recording format of a DVD-Avd (digital videodisc-audio plus AV data). The DVD-Avd in FIG. 27 has an area assigned toa video title set directory VTS_D, and an area assigned to an audiotitle set directory ATS_D. The video title set directory VTS_Dcorresponds to DVD video data while the audio title set directory ATS_Dcorresponds to DVD audio data.

The VTS_D area in FIG. 27 has an area assigned to a video manager VMG,an area assigned to a video manager menu VMGM, and an area assigned to avideo title set VTS<1>. The video manager VMG contains video managerinformation VMGI for managing the video title set VTS<1>. The videomanager VMG has a structure similar to that in FIG. 1. The video titleset VTS<1> has a sequence of packs including video packs V and audiopacks A.

The ATS_D area in FIG. 27 has an area assigned to a structure of simpleaudio manager which is denoted by SAMG, an area assigned to an audiomanager AMG, an area assigned to an audio manager menu AMGM, an areaassigned to a first audio title set ATS<1>, and an area assigned to asecond audio title set ATS<2>. The audio manager AMG contains audiomanager information AMGI for managing the audio title sets ATS<1> andATS<2>. The audio manager AMG has a structure similar to that in FIG. 3.The first audio title set ATS<1> has a sequence of packs including audiopacks A. The first audio title set ATS<1> forms a pair with the videotitle set VTS<1>. The second audio title set ATS<2> has a sequence ofpacks including audio packs A and real-time information packs RTI asshown in FIG. 24. The pack sequence in the second audio title set ATS<2>may include still-picture packs SPCT. The pack sequence in the secondaudio title set ATS<2> does not have any audio control pack A-CONT.

Each of the audio title sets ATS<1> and ATS<2> in the DVD-Audio of FIG.23 contains audio title set information ATSI. The audio title setinformation ATSI contains a management table ATSI-MAT having anaudio-only-title audio-object attribute AOTT-AOB-ATR.

As shown in FIG. 28, the audio-only-title audio-object attributeAOTT-AOB-ATR has a sequence of 8 bytes, that is, 64 bits b63, b62, b61,. . . , b1, b0. A set of the bits b63, b62, b61, and b60 represents anaudio encoding mode. The bit b59 represents a down mix (D-M) mode. A setof the bits b58, b57, and b56 represents a multiple channel type. A setof the bits b55, b54, b53, and b52 represents a quantization bit numberQ1 of a channel group “1”. A set of the bits b51, b50, b49, and b48represents a quantization bit number Q2 of a channel group “2”. A set ofthe bits b47, b46, b45, and b44 represents a sampling frequency fs1 ofthe channel group “1”. A set of the bits b43, b42, b41, and b40represents a sampling frequency fs2 of the channel group “2”. A set ofthe bits b36, b35, b34, b33, and b32 represents channel assignment. Theother bits form reserved areas. The bits b31, b30, . . . , b1, b0 in thereserved area may be used for attribute data of the respective channels.

The audio encoding mode represented by the bits b63, b62, b61, and b60in FIG. 28 can be selected from among a linear PCM audio encoding mode,a Dolby digital encoding mode, an MPEG-2 encoding mode without anyextension, an MPEG-2 encoding mode with an extension, a DTS encodingmode, and an SDDS encoding mode. Specifically, a bit sequence of “0000”is assigned to the linear PCM audio encoding mode. A bit sequence of“0001” is assigned to the Dolby digital encoding mode. A bit sequence of“0010” is assigned to the MPEG-2 encoding mode without any extension. Abit sequence of “0011” is assigned to the MPEG-2 encoding mode with anextension. A bit sequence of “0100” is assigned to the DTS encodingmode. A bit sequence of “0101” is assigned to the SDDS encoding mode.

Normally, the bits b63, b62, b61, and b60 in FIG. 28 are set to “0000”representing the linear PCM audio encoding mode.

The down mix mode represented by the bit b59 in FIG. 28 can be changedbetween the allowance of down mix stereophonic output and the inhibitionof down mix stereophonic output. Specifically, a bit of “0” is assignedto the allowance of down mix stereophonic output. A bit of “1” isassigned to the inhibition of down mix stereophonic output.

Normally, the bits b58, b57, and b56 in FIG. 28 are set to “000”representing that the multiple channel type agrees with a type “1”.

The quantization bit number Q1 of the channel group “1” which isrepresented by the bits b55, b54, b53, and b52 in FIG. 28 can be changedamong 16 bits, 20 bits, and 24 bits. Specifically, a bit sequence of“0000” is assigned to 16 bits. A bit sequence of “0001” is assigned to20 bits. A bit sequence of “0010” is assigned to 24 bits.

The quantization bit number Q2 of the channel group “2” which isrepresented by the bits b51, b50, b49, and b48 in FIG. 28 can be changedamong 16 bits, 20 bits, and 24 bits. Specifically, a bit sequence of“0000” is assigned to 16 bits. A bit sequence of “0001” is assigned to20 bits. A bit sequence of “0010” is assigned to 24 bits.

The state of the set of the bits b51, b50, b49, and b48 has thefollowing relation with the state of the set of the bits b55, b54, b53,and b52. When the set of the bits b55, b54, b53, and b52 is “0000”, theset of the bits b51, b50, b49, and b48 is also “0000”. In other words,when the quantization bit number Q1 for the channel group “1” is equalto 16 bits, the quantization bit number Q2 for the channel group “2” isalso equal to 16 bits. When the set of the bits b55, b54, b53, and b52is “0001”, the set of the bits b51, b50, b49, and b48 is “0000” or“0001. In other words, when the quantization bit number Q1 for thechannel group “1” is equal to 20 bits, the quantization bit number Q2for the channel group “2” is equal to 16 bits or 20 bits. When the setof the bits b55, b54, b53, and b52 is “0010”, the set of the bits b51,b50, b49, and b48 is “0000”, “0001, or “0010”. In other words, when thequantization bit number Q1 for the channel group “1” is equal to 24bits, the quantization bit number Q2 for the channel group “2” is equalto 16 bits, 20 bits, or 24 bits.

The sampling frequency fs1 of the channel group “1” which is representedby the bits b47, b46, b45, and b44 can be changed among 48 kHz, 96 kHz,192 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 176.4 kHz. Specifically, a bit sequenceof “0000” is assigned to 48 kHz. A bit sequence of “0001” is assigned to96 kHz. A bit sequence of “0010” is assigned to 192 kHz. A bit sequenceof “1000” is assigned to 44.1 kHz. A bit sequence of “1001” is assignedto 88.2 kHz. A bit sequence of “1010” is assigned to 176.4 kHz.

The sampling frequency fs2 of the channel group “2” which is representedby the bits b43, b42, b41, and b40 can be changed among 48 kHz, 96 kHz,192 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 176.4 kHz. Specifically, a bit sequenceof “0000” is assigned to 48 kHz. A bit sequence of “0001” is assigned to96 kHz. A bit sequence of “0010” is assigned to 192 kHz. A bit sequenceof “1000” is assigned to 44.1 kHz. A bit sequence of “1001” is assignedto 88.2 kHz. A bit sequence of “1010” is assigned to 176.4 kHz.

The state of the set of the bits b43, b42, b41, and b40 has thefollowing relation with the state of the set of the bits b47, b46, b45,and b44. When the set of the bits b47, b46, b45, and b44 is “0000”, theset of the bits b43, b42, b41, and b40 is also “0000”. In other words,when the sampling frequency “fs” of the channel group “1” is equal to 48kHz, the sampling frequency “fs” of the channel group “2” is also equalto 48 kHz. When the set of the bits b47, b46, b45, and b44 is “0001”,the set of the bits b43, b42, b41, and b40 is “0000” or “0001”. In otherwords, when the sampling frequency “fs” of the channel group “1” isequal to 96 kHz, the sampling frequency “fs” of the channel group “2” isequal to 48 kHz or 96 kHz.

When the set of the bits b47, b46, b45, and b44 is “0010”, the set ofthe bits b43, b42, b41, and b40 is “0000”, “0001”, or “0010”. In otherwords, when the sampling frequency “fs” of the channel group “1” isequal to 192 kHz, the sampling frequency “fs” of the channel group “2”is equal to 48 kHz, 96 kHz, or 192 kHz. When the set of the bits b47,b46, b45, and b44 is “1000”, the set of the bits b43, b42, b41, and b40is also “1000”. In other words, when the sampling frequency “fs” of thechannel group “1” is equal to 44.1 kHz, the sampling frequency “fs” ofthe channel group “2” is also equal to 44.1 kHz. When the set of thebits b47, b46, b45, and b44 is “1001”, the set of the bits b43, b42,b41, and b40 is “1000” or “1001”. In other words, when the samplingfrequency “fs” of the channel group “1” is equal to 88.2 kHz, thesampling frequency “fs” of the channel group “2” is equal to 44.1 kHz or88.2 kHz. When the set of the bits b47, b46, b45, and b44 is “1010”, theset of the bits b43, b42, b41, and b40 is “1000”, “1001”, or “1010”. Inother words, when the sampling frequency “fs” of the channel group “1”is equal to 176.4 kHz, the sampling frequency “fs” of the channel group“2” is equal to 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or 176.4 kHz.

In general, the linear PCM audio encoding mode is used by the DVD-Audioin FIG. 23. According to the linear PCM audio encoding mode, each audiopack A has a private header. As shown in FIG. 29, the linear PCM audiopack private header includes an 8-bit area assigned to sub streamidentification (ID) information, a 4-bit area assigned to an ISRCnumber, an 8-bit area assigned to ISRC data, an 8-bit area assigned to aprivate header length, a 16-bit area assigned to a first access unitpointer, a 1-bit area assigned to an audio emphasis flag F1, and a 1-bitarea assigned to an audio emphasis flag F2.

When the sampling frequency “fs” is equal to 96 kHz or 88.2 kHz, theaudio emphasis flag F1 is set to “0” representing an emphasis off state.When the sampling frequency “fs” is equal to other values, the audioemphasis flag F1 is set to “1” representing an emphasis on state.

When the sampling frequency “fs” is equal to 192 kHz or 176.4 kHz, theaudio emphasis flag F2 is set to “0” representing an emphasis off state.When the sampling frequency “fs” is equal to other values, the audioemphasis flag F2 is set to “1” representing an emphasis on state.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 30 shows an audio-signal encoding apparatus according to a sixthembodiment of this invention. The apparatus of FIG. 30 includesanalog-to-digital (A/D) converters 31 and 31V, a signal processingcircuit 32, a video encoder 32V, a memory 33, and a DVD formattingsection 34.

An analog video signal is applied to the A/D converter 31V. The A/Dconverter 31V is followed by the video encoder 32V. The video encoder32V is followed by the DVD formatting section 34.

An analog audio signal is applied to the A/D converter 31. In general,the analog audio signal has multiple channels including, for example,front and rear channels. The analog audio signal may be of the monauraltype. The A/D converter 31 is followed by the signal processing circuit32. The signal processing circuit 32 is followed by the DVD formattingsection 34. The memory 33 is connected to the signal processing circuit32. The signal processing circuit 32 and the memory 33 cooperate toimplement desired signal processing. The memory 33 may be incorporatedin the signal processing circuit 32 similarly to a conventional design.

The DVD formatting section 34 is successively followed by a modulationcircuit 35A and a master making apparatus 35B.

As shown in FIG. 31, the signal processing circuit 32 includes a lowpass filter (LPF) 36, thinning circuits 37 and 38, a subtracter 39, andan allocation circuit 40. The thinning circuits 37 and 38 may bedecimating circuits. The low pass filter 36, the thinning circuit 38,and the allocation circuit 40 follow the A/D converter 31 (see FIG. 30).The low pass filter 36 is followed by the thinning circuit 37. A firstinput terminal of the subtracter 39 is connected to the output terminalof the thinning circuit 37. A second input terminal of the subtracter 39is connected to the output terminal of the thinning circuit 38. Theoutput terminal of the subtracter 39 is connected to the allocationcircuit 40. The output terminal of the thinning circuit 37 is connectedto the allocation circuit 40. The allocation circuit 40 is followed bythe DVD formatting section 34 (see FIG. 30).

The A/D converter 31 samples the analog audio signal at a given samplingfrequency “fs”, and changes every sample of the analog audio signal intoa corresponding digital sample. Thus, the A/D converter 31 changes theanalog audio signal into a corresponding digital audio signal (forexample, a PCM audio signal) with a given quantization bit number. Inother words, the A/D converter 31 quantizes the analog audio signal intothe corresponding digital audio signal. The quantization implemented bythe A/D converter 31 may vary from channel to channel. For example, theA/D converter 31 quantizes front-channel components of the analog audiosignal at a first predetermined sampling frequency and a firstpredetermined quantization bit number. The A/D converter 31 quantizesrear-channel components of the analog audio signal at a secondpredetermined sampling frequency and a second predetermined bit numberwhich are equal to or different from the first predetermined samplingfrequency and the first predetermined quantization bit numberrespectively. The A/D converter 31 outputs the digital audio signal tothe signal processing circuit 32.

Operation of the signal processing circuit 32 can be changed betweenfirst and second modes which correspond to the absence and the presenceof thinning respectively.

During operation of the signal processing circuit 32 in the first mode(the absence of thinning), the digital audio signal is directlytransmitted from the A/D converter 31 to the allocation circuit 40. Thedevice 40 allocates the digital audio signal to audio data which can beplaced in audio packs A (see FIG. 14). The allocation circuit 40 outputsthe audio data to the DVD formatting section 34.

During operation of the signal processing circuit 32 in the second mode(the presence of thinning), the digital audio signal is transmitted fromthe A/D converter 31 to the low pass filter 36 and the thinning circuit38. The low pass filter 36 conducts only a half of the frequency band ofthe digital audio signal. The low pass filter 36 outputs the resultantsignal to the thinning circuit 37. The thinning circuit 37 selects onefourth of samples of the output signal of the low pass filter 36. Thethinning circuit 37 outputs only the selected signal samples to thesubtracter 39 and the allocation circuit 40. The selected samples arespaced at 4-sample intervals.

During operation of the signal processing circuit 32 in the second mode(the presence of thinning), the thinning circuit 38 selects alternateones of samples of the digital audio signal. The thinning circuit 38outputs only the selected signal samples to the subtracter 39.

A sequence of samples of the output signal from the thinning circuit 37is now expressed as:

xc1, xc2, xc3, . . . , xci, . . .

On the other hand, a sequence of samples of the output signal from thethinning circuit 38 is expressed as:

xb1, xa1, xb2, xa2, . . . , xbi, xai, . . .

During operation of the signal processing circuit 32 in the second mode(the presence of thinning), the subtracter 39 calculates differences Δ1iand Δ2i between the output signals of the thinning circuits 37 and 38.The differences Δ1i and Δ2i are given as follows.

Δ1i=xbi−xci

Δ2i=xai−xci

The subtracter 39 informs the allocation circuit 40 of the calculateddifferences Δ1i and Δ2i.

During operation of the signal processing circuit 32 in the second mode(the presence of thinning), the allocation circuit 40 combines theoutput signal of the thinning circuit 37 and the information of thedifferences Δ1i and Δ2i into audio user data which can be placed inaudio packs A (see FIG. 14). The allocation circuit 40 outputs the audiouser data to the DVD formatting section 34.

The A/D converter 31V changes the analog video signal into acorresponding digital video signal. The A/D converter 31V outputs thedigital video signal to the video encoder 32V. The video encoder 32Vchanges the digital video signal into an MPEG-format signal. The videoencoder 32V packs the MPEG-format signal into video user data which canbe placed in video packs V. The video encoder 32V outputs the video userdata to the DVD formatting section 34.

The DVD formatting section 34 receives control data from suitabledevices (not shown). The control data represents character information,display time information, sampling-frequency information,quantization-bit-number information, thinning information, and otherinformation to be added. The DVD formatting section 34 packs the audiodata (or the audio user data), the video user data, and the addedinformation into a composite signal of a DVD-Audio format correspondingto the signal recording format of the DVD-Audio in FIG. 2 or the signalrecording format of the DVD-Audio in FIG. 23. The DVD formatting section34 outputs the composite signal of the DVD-Audio format to themodulation circuit 35A. It should be noted that the DVD formattingsection 34 may output the composite signal of the DVD-Audio format to atransmission line or a communication line. The modulation circuit 35Asubjects the composite signal of the DVD-Audio format to givenmodulation (for example, EFM modulation) suited to a DVD-Audio.

The modulation circuit 35A outputs the modulation-resultant signal tothe master making apparatus 35B. The apparatus 35B makes a master disc35C in response to the output signal of the modulation circuit 35A. Themaser disc 35C stores the output signal of the modulation circuit 35A.DVD-Audios are made by a DVD making apparatus (not shown) on the basisof the master disc 35C.

The audio-signal encoding apparatus of FIG. 30 may be formed by acomputer-based apparatus which operates in accordance with a computerprogram stored in an internal memory. In this case, a recording mediummay be prepared which stores the control program. The internal memory ofthe computer-based apparatus is loaded with the computer program fromthe recording medium, and then the computer-based apparatus is startedto implement a desired encoding process in accordance with the computerprogram.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 32 shows the structure of data recorded on a DVD-Audio according toa seventh embodiment of this invention. The data structure in FIG. 32includes a sequence of a structure-of-simple audio manager SAMG, anaudio manager AMG, a still picture set SPS, and plural audio title setsATS. The still picture set SPS is also referred to as the audio stillvideo set ASVS.

The audio manager AMG has audio manager information AMGI, an audiomanager menu AMGM, and backup audio manager information AMGI. The stillpicture set SPS has a sequence of still-picture address information SPAIand still picture units SPU.

Each audio title set ATS has a sequence of audio title set (ATS)information ATSI, an audio only title audio object set AOTT-AOBS, andbackup audio title set information ATSI. The audio title set informationATSI has a sequence of an audio title set information management tableATSI-MAT, and an audio title set program chain information tableATS-PGCIT.

As shown in FIG. 33, the audio only title audio object set AOTT-AOBS hasa sequence of audio only title audio objects AOTT-AOB. Each of the audioonly title audio objects AOTF-AOB is formed by a plurality of programs(tunes or movements) PG. Each of the programs PG is formed by aplurality of cells ATS-C.

Generally, audio only title audio objects AOTT-AOB are of first andsecond types. Each audio only title audio object AOTT-AOB of the firsttype contains only audio data. Each audio only title audio objectAOTT-AOB of the second type contains not only audio data but alsoreal-time information data (RTI data). Audio only title audio objectsAOTT-AOB of at least one type are stored in the DVD-Audio or a tunetherein.

With reference to FIG. 33, each program PG in an audio only title audioobject AOTT-AOB of the first type is formed by a plurality of audiocells ATS-C. Each of the audio cells ATS-C is composed of only audiopacks A.

As shown in FIG. 34, each program PG in an audio only title audio objectAOTT-AOB of the second type is formed by a plurality of audio cellsATS-C. Each of the audio cells ATS-C has a pack sequence of a real-timeinformation pack RTI and audio packs A. Regarding the pack sequence ineach audio cell ATS-C, the real-time information pack RTI occupies thesecond place while the audio packs A occupy the other places.

According to the linear PCM audio encoding mode, every audio pack A has2,048 bytes or less.

As shown in FIG. 35, a linear PCM audio pack A has a 14-byte pack headerand an audio packet. The pack header is followed by the audio packet.The audio packet has a sequence of a packet header, a private header,and audio data (linear PCM audio data).

The packet header has 9 bytes, 14 bytes, or 17 bytes. The audio data has1 byte to 2,011 bytes.

As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, the private header has a sequence of 8-bitsub stream ID (identification) information, a 3-bit reserved area, 5-bitinformation of an UPC/EAN-ISRC (Universal Product Code/European ArticleNumber-International Standard Recording Code) number, 8-bit informationof UPC/EAN-ISRC data, 8-bit information of the private header length, a16-bit first access unit pointer, 8-byte audio data information ADI, and0 to 8 stuffing bytes.

As shown in FIG. 36, the audio data information ADI (see FIG. 35) has asequence of a 1-bit audio emphasis flag, a 1-bit reserved area, 1-bitinformation of a down mix mode, 1-bit information of down mix codeeffectiveness, a 4-bit down mix code, 4-bit information of thequantization word length (the quantization bit number) in the channelgroup “1”, 4-bit information of the quantization word length (thequantization bit number) in the channel group “2”, 4-bit information ofthe audio sampling frequency fs1 in the channel group “1”, 4-bitinformation of the audio sampling frequency fs2 in the channel group“2”, a 4-bit reserved area, 4-bit information of a multiple channeltype, 3-bit information of a bit shift in the channel group “2”, 5-bitchannel assignment information, 8-bit dynamic-range control information,and a 16-bit reserved area.

With reference to FIG. 36, the 8-bit UPC/EAN-ISRC data is changed amongeight different states in accordance with the UPC/EAN-ISRC number. The 8bits representing the UPC/EAN-ISRC data are denoted by b7, b6, b5, b4,b3, b2, b1, and b0 respectively.

In the case where the UPC/EAN-ISRC number is equal to “1”, the bits b7and b6 of the UPC/EAN-ISRC data are reserved while the other bits b5-b0thereof are assigned to a country code (ISRC #1) as shown in FIG. 37.

In the case where the UPC/EAN-ISRC number is equal to “2”, the bits b7and b6 of the UPC/EAN-ISRC data are reserved while the other bits b5-b0thereof are assigned to a country code (ISRC #2) as shown in FIG. 38.

In the case where the UPC/EAN-ISRC number is equal to “3”, the bits b7and b6 of the UPC/EAN-ISRC data are reserved while the other bits b5-b0thereof are assigned to a copyright holder code (ISRC #3) as shown inFIG. 39.

In the case where the UPC/EAN-ISRC number is equal to “4”, the bits b7and b6 of the UPC/EAN-ISRC data are reserved while the other bits b5-b0thereof are assigned to a copyright holder code (ISRC #4) as shown inFIG. 40.

In the case where the UPC/EAN-ISRC number is equal to “5”, the bits b7and b6 of the UPC/EAN-ISRC data are reserved while the other bits b5-b0thereof are assigned to a copyright holder code (ISRC #5) as shown inFIG. 41.

In the case where the UPC/EAN-ISRC number is equal to “6”, the bitsb7-b4 of the UPC/EAN-ISRC data are reserved while the other bits b3-b0thereof are assigned to a recording year (ISRC #6) as shown in FIG. 42.

In the case where the UPC/EAN-ISRC number is equal to “7”, the bitsb7-b4 of the UPC/EAN-ISRC data are reserved while the other bits b3-b0thereof are assigned to a recording year (ISRC #7) as shown in FIG. 43.

Preferably, the number of bits of signal samples of audio channels inthe group “2” is reduced in comparison with the number of bits of signalsamples of audio channels in the group “1” to implement datacompression. Thus, the word length of signal samples of audio channelsin the group “2” is reduced in comparison with the word length of signalsamples of audio channels in the group “1”. Regarding every linear PCMaudio pack (see FIG. 35), reduction-resultant linear PCM audio data forthe channel group “2” is located in the audio data area.

FIG. 44 shows an unreduced state of 24-bit signal samples in audiochannels Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4, Ch5, and Ch6. The channels Ch1, Ch2, andCh3 are in the group “1” while the channels Ch4, Ch5, and Ch6 are in thegroup “2”. The signal levels represented by signal samples of thechannels Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4, Ch5, and Ch6 are equal to or less thanupper limits Lmax1, Lmax2, Lmax3, Lmax4, Lmax5, and Lmax6 respectively.According to the unreduced state in FIG. 44, the upper level limitsLmax1, Lmax2, Lmax3, Lmax4, Lmax5, and Lmax6 have the followingrelation.

Lmax2>Lmax1=Lmax3>Lmax4>Lmax5>Lmax6

In this case, each of signal samples in the channels Ch4, Ch5, and Ch6in the group “2” is shifted up and reduced by an amount corresponding toa given bit number depending on the upper limit level Lmax2.

FIG. 45 shows a reduction-resultant state of signal samples whichoriginates from the unreduced state in FIG. 44. With reference to FIG.45, each of signal samples in the channels Ch4, Ch5, and Ch6 in thegroup “2” results from up shift by 4 bits, and thus has 20 bits.

As shown in FIG. 46, a real-time information pack RTI has a 14-byte packheader and a real-time information packet. The pack header is followedby the real-time information packet. The real-time information packethas a sequence of a packet header, a private header, and real-timeinformation data. The packet header has 14 bytes or 17 bytes. Thereal-time information data has 1 byte to 2,015 bytes. The real-timeinformation contains reproduction control information and characterinformation related to audio data.

As shown in FIG. 46, the private header of the real-time informationpacket has a sequence of 1-byte sub stream ID (identification)information, 2-byte ISRC information, 1-byte information of the privateheader length, 1-byte real-time information identification (ID) data,and 0 to 7 stuffing bytes. The 2-byte ISRC information containsinformation of an UPC/EAN-ISRC (Universal Product Code/European ArticleNumber-International Standard Recording Code) number, and information ofUPC/EAN-ISRC data. The UPC/EAN-ISRC number and data relate to thecopyright on still pictures represented by still-picture packs SPCTwhich will be explained later.

The still picture set SPS (the audio still video set ASVS) in FIG. 32includes a sequence of still-picture packs SPCT. As shown in FIG. 47,each still-picture pack SPCT has a 14-byte pack header and astill-picture packet. The pack header is followed by the still-picturepacket. The still-picture packet has a sequence of a packet header andstill-picture data. The packet header has 9 bytes, 19 bytes, or 22bytes. The still-picture data has 1 byte to 2,025 bytes. Here, eachstill picture is represented by an intra-coded picture resulting fromdata compression according to the MPEG-1 standards or the MPEG-2standards. Data representing a still picture is divided into pieces(still-picture data pieces) located in still-picture packs SPCTrespectively. The UPC/EAN-ISRC number and data related to the copyrighton a still picture may be contained in the packet header of astill-picture pack SPCT.

FIG. 48 shows the details of the audio title set information managementtable ATSI-MAT in FIG. 32. As shown in FIG. 48, the audio title setinformation management table ATSI-MAT has 2,048 bytes in relative bytepositions RBP0-RBP2047. Specifically, the audio title set informationmanagement table ATSI-MAT has a sequence of a 12-byte ATS identifierATS-ID, a 4-byte ATS end address ATS-EA, a 12-byte reserved area, a4-byte ATSI end address ATSI-EA, a 2-byte version number VERN, a 94-bytereserved area, a 4-byte ATSI-MAT end address, a 60-byte reserved area, a4-byte AOTT VTS start address, a 4-byte AOTT AOBS start address or a4-byte AOTT VOBS start address, a 4-byte reserved area, a 4-byteATS-PGCIT start address, a 48-byte reserved area, a 128-byte AOTT AOBattribute AOTT-AOB-ATR or a 128-byte AOTT VOB audio stream attributeAOTT-VOB-AST-ATR, a 288-byte area for multiple channel audio data downmix coefficients ATS-DM-COEFT#0-#15, a 32-byte reserved area, a 2-byteAOTT AOBS still-picture data attribute ATS-SPCT-ATR, and a 1342-bytereversed area.

As shown in FIG. 48, the ATS identifier ATS-ID occupies the relativebyte positions RBP0-RBP11. The ATS end address ATS-EA occupies therelative byte positions RBP12-RBP15. The relative byte positionsRBP16-RBP27 are reserved. The ATSI end address ATSI-EA occupies therelative byte positions RBP28-RBP31. The version number VERN occupiesthe relative byte positions RBP32 and RBP33. The relative byte positionsRBP34-RBP127 are reserved. The ATSI-MAT end address occupies therelative byte positions RBP128-RBP131. The relative byte positionsRBP132-RBP191 are reserved. The AOTT VTS start address occupies therelative byte positions RBP192-RBP195. The AOTT AOBS start address orthe AOTT VOBS start address occupies the relative byte positionsRBP196-RBP199. The relative byte positions RBP200-RBP203 are reserved.The ATS-PGCIT start address occupies the relative byte positionsRBP204-RBP207. The relative byte positions RBP208-RBP255 are reserved.The AOTT AOB attribute AOTT-AOB-ATR or the AOTT VOB audio streamattribute AOTT-VOB-AST-ATR occupies the relative byte positionsRBP256-RBP383. The multiple channel audio data down mix coefficientsATS-DM-COEFT#0-#15 occupies the relative byte positions RBP384-RBP671.The relative byte positions RBP672-RBP703 are reserved. The AOTT AOBSstill-picture data attribute ATS-SPCT-ATR occupies the relative bytepositions RBP704-RBP705. The relative byte positions RBP706-RBP2047 arereserved.

As previously mentioned, one of the AOTF AOB attribute AOTT-AOB-ATR andthe AOTT VOB audio stream attribute AOTT-VOB-AST-ATR is used, beinglocated in the area having the relative byte positions RBP256-RBP383 inthe audio title set information management table ATSI-MAT of FIG. 48.When the related audio title set has an audio only title audio objectset AOTT-AOBS, the AOTT AOB attribute AOTF-AOB-ATR is used.

As shown in FIG. 49, the AOTT AOB attribute (the audio-only-titleaudio-object attribute) AOTT-AOB-ATR contains a sequence of 16 bytes,that is, 128 bits b127, b126, b125, . . . , b1, b0. A set of the bitsb127, b126, b125, b124, b123, b122, b121, and b120 represents an audioencoding mode. A set of the bits b111, b110, b109, and b108 represents aquantization bit number Q1 of a channel group “1”. A set of the bitsb107, b106, b105, and b104 represents a quantization bit number Q2 of achannel group “2”. A set of the bits b 103, b 102, b 101, and b 100represents a sampling frequency fs1 of the channel group “1”. A set ofthe bits b99, b98, b97, and b96 represents a sampling frequency fs2 ofthe channel group “2”. A set of the bits b95, b94, and b93 represents amultiple channel type. A set of the bits b92, b91, b90, b89, and b88represents channel assignment. The other bits form reserved areas.

The audio encoding mode represented by the bits b127, b126, b125, b124,b123, b122, b121, and b120 in FIG. 49 can be selected from among alinear PCM audio encoding mode, a Dolby digital encoding mode, an MPEG-2encoding mode without any extension, an MPEG-2 encoding mode with anextension, a DTS encoding mode, and an SDDS encoding mode. Specifically,a bit sequence of “00000000” is assigned to the linear PCM audioencoding mode. A bit sequence of “00000001” is assigned to the Dolbydigital encoding mode. A bit sequence of “00000010” is assigned to theMPEG-2 encoding mode without any extension. A bit sequence of “00000011”is assigned to the MPEG-2 encoding mode with an extension. A bitsequence of “00000100” is assigned to the DTS encoding mode. A bitsequence of “00000101” is assigned to the SDDS encoding mode.

Normally, the bits b127, b126, b125, b124, b123, b122, b121, and b120 inFIG. 49 are set to “00000000” representing the linear PCM audio encodingmode.

The quantization bit number Q1 of the channel group “1” which isrepresented by the bits b111, b110, b109, and b108 in FIG. 49 can bechanged among 16 bits, 20 bits, and 24 bits. Specifically, a bitsequence of “0000” is assigned to 16 bits. A bit sequence of “0001” isassigned to 20 bits. A bit sequence of “0010” is assigned to 24 bits.

The quantization bit number Q2 of the channel group “2” which isrepresented by the bits b107, b106, b105, and b104 in FIG. 49 can bechanged among 16 bits, 20 bits, and 24 bits. Specifically, a bitsequence of “0000” is assigned to 16 bits. A bit sequence of “0001” isassigned to 20 bits. A bit sequence of “0010” is assigned to 24 bits.

The sampling frequency fs1 of the channel group “1” which is representedby the bits b103, b102, b101, and b10O in FIG. 49 can be changed among48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 176.4 kHz.Specifically, a bit sequence of “0000” is assigned to 48 kHz. A bitsequence of “0001” is assigned to 96 kHz. A bit sequence of “0010” isassigned to 192 kHz. A bit sequence of “1000” is assigned to 44.1 kHz. Abit sequence of “1001” is assigned to 88.2 kHz. A bit sequence of “1010”is assigned to 176.4 kHz.

The sampling frequency fs2 of the channel group “2” which is representedby the bits b99, b98, b97, and b96 in FIG. 49 can be changed among 48kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 176.4 kHz. Specifically, abit sequence of “0000” is assigned to 48 kHz. A bit sequence of “0001”is assigned to 96 kHz. A bit sequence of “0010” is assigned to 192 kHz.A bit sequence of “1000” is assigned to 44.1 kHz. A bit sequence of“1001” is assigned to 88.2 kHz. A bit sequence of “1010” is assigned to176.4 kHz.

Normally, the bits b95, b94, and b93 in FIG. 49 are set to “000”representing that the multiple channel type agrees with a type “1”.

The channel assignment represented by the bits b92, b91, b90, b89, andb88 in FIG. 49 can be changed among 21 different types shown in FIG. 50.A bit sequence of “00000” is assigned to a first type of the channelassignment in which a first channel ACHO forms a monaural channelC(mono), and second and later channels ACH1, ACH2, ACH3, ACH4, and ACH5are unused. According to the first type of the channel assignment, themonaural channel C(mono) is in the group “1”. Thus, the channel numberin the group “1” is equal to one while the channel number in the group“2” is equal to zero. A bit sequence of “00001” is assigned to a secondtype of the channel assignment in which the first and second channelsACHO and ACH1 form a left channel L and a right channel R respectively,and the third and later channels ACH2, ACH3, ACH4, and ACH5 are unused.According to the second type of the channel assignment, the left channelL and the right channel R are in the group “1”. Thus, the channel numberin the group “1” is equal to two while the channel number in the group“2” is equal to zero. A bit sequence of “00010” is assigned to a thirdtype of the channel assignment in which the first, second, and thirdchannels ACH0, ACH1, and ACH2 form a left front channel Lf, a rightfront channel Rf, and a surround channel S respectively, and the fourthand later channels ACH3, ACH4, and ACH5 are unused. According to thethird type of the bit assignment, the left front channel Lf and theright front channel Rf are in the group “1” while the surround channel Sis in the group “2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equalto two while the channel number in the group “2” is equal to one. A bitsequence of “00011” is assigned to a fourth type of the channelassignment in which the first, second, third, and fourth channels ACH0,ACH1, ACH2, and ACH3 form a left front channel Lf, a right front channelRf, a left surround channel Ls, and a right surround channel Rsrespectively, and the fifth and sixth channels ACH4 and ACH5 are unused.According to the fourth type of the channel assignment, the left frontchannel Lf and the right front channel Rf are in the group “1” while theleft surround channel Ls and the right surround channel Rs are in thegroup “2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to twowhile the channel number in the group “2” is also equal to two. A bitsequence of “00100” is assigned to a fifth type of the channelassignment in which the first, second, and third channels ACH0, ACH1,and ACH2 form a left front channel Lf, a right front channel Rf, and alow frequency effect channel LFE respectively, and the fourth and laterchannels ACH3, ACH4, and ACH5 are unused. According to the fifth type ofthe channel assignment, the left front channel Lf and the right frontchannel Rf are in the group “1” while the low frequency effect channelLFE is in the group “2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” isequal to two while the channel number in the group “2” is equal to one.A bit sequence of “00101” is assigned to a sixth type of the channelassignment in which the first, second, third, and fourth channels ACH0,ACH1, ACH2, and ACH3 form a left front channel Lf, a right front channelRf, a low frequency effect channel LFE, and a surround channel Srespectively, and the fifth and sixth channels ACH4 and ACH5 are unused.According to the sixth type of the channel assignment, the left frontchannel Lf and the right front channel Rf are in the group “1” while thelow frequency effect channel LFE and the surround channel S are in thegroup “2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to twowhile the channel number in the group “2” is also equal to two. A bitsequence of “00110” is assigned to a seventh type of the channelassignment in which the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth channelsACH0, ACH1, ACH2, ACH3, and ACH4 form a left front channel Lf, a rightfront channel Rf, a low frequency effect channel LFE, a left surroundchannel Ls, and a right surround channel Rs respectively, and the sixthchannel ACH5 is unused. According to the seventh type of the channelassignment, the left front channel Lf and the right front channel Rf arein the group “1” while the low frequency effect channel LFE, the leftsurround channel Ls, and the right surround channel Rs are in the group“2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to two while thechannel number in the group “2” is equal to three. A bit sequence of“00111” is assigned to an eighth type of the channel assignment in whichthe first, second, and third channels ACH0, ACH1, and ACH2 form a leftfront channel Lf, a right front channel Rf, and a center channel Crespectively, and the fourth and later channels ACH3, ACH4, and ACH5 areunused. According to the eighth type of the channel assignment, the leftfront channel Lf and the right front channel Rf are in the group “1”while the center channel C is in the group “2”.

Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to two while thechannel number in the group “2” is equal to one. A bit sequence of“01000” is assigned to a ninth type of the channel assignment in whichthe first, second, third, and fourth channels ACH0, ACH1, ACH2, and ACH3form a left front channel Lf, a right front channel Rf, a center channelC, and a surround channel S respectively, and the fifth and sixthchannels ACH4 and ACH5 are unused. According to the ninth type of thechannel assignment, the left front channel Lf and the right frontchannel Rf are in the group “1” while the center channel C and thesurround channel S are in the group “2”. Thus, the channel number in thegroup “1” is equal to two while the channel number in the group “2” isalso equal to two. A bit sequence of “01001” is assigned to a tenth typeof the channel assignment in which the first, second, third, fourth, andfifth channels ACH0, ACH1, ACH2, ACH3, and ACH4 form a left frontchannel Lf, a right front channel Rf, a center channel C, a leftsurround channel Ls, and a right surround channel Rs respectively, andthe sixth channel ACH5 is unused. According to the tenth type of thechannel assignment, the left front channel Lf and the right frontchannel Rf are in the group “1” while the center channel C, the leftsurround channel Ls, and the right surround channel Rs are in the group“2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to two while thechannel number in the group “2” is equal to three. A bit sequence of“01010” is assigned to an eleventh type of the channel assignment inwhich the first, second, third, and fourth channels ACH0, ACH1, ACH2,and ACH3 form a left front channel Lf, a right front channel Rf, acenter channel C, and a low frequency effect channel LFE respectively,and the fifth and sixth channels ACH4 and ACH5 are unused. According tothe eleventh type of the channel assignment, the left front channel Lfand the right front channel Rf are in the group “1” while the centerchannel C and the low frequency effect channel LFE are in the group “2”.Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to two while thechannel number in the group “2” is also equal to two. A bit sequence of“01011” is assigned to a twelfth type of the channel assignment in whichthe first, second, third, fourth, and fifth channels ACH0, ACH1, ACH2,ACH3, and ACH4 form a left front channel Lf, a right front channel Rf, acenter channel C, a low frequency effect channel LFE, and a surroundchannel S respectively, and the sixth channel ACH5 is unused. Accordingto the twelfth type of the channel assignment, the left front channel Lfand the right front channel Rf are in the group “1” while the centerchannel C, the low frequency effect channel LFE, and the surroundchannel S are in the group “2”.

Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to two while thechannel number in the group “2” is equal to three. A bit sequence of“01100” is assigned to a thirteenth type of the channel assignment inwhich the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth channels ACH0,ACH1, ACH2, ACH3, ACH4, and ACH5 form a left front channel Lf, a rightfront channel Rf, a center channel C, a low frequency effect channelLFE, a left surround signal Ls, and a right surround channel Rsrespectively. According to the thirteenth type of the channelassignment, the left front channel Lf and the right front channel Rf arein the group “1” while the center channel C, the low frequency effectchannel LFE, the left surround signal Ls, and the right surround channelRs are in the group “2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” isequal to two while the channel number in the group “2” is equal to four.A bit sequence of “01101” is assigned to a fourteenth type of thechannel assignment in which the first, second, third, and fourthchannels ACH0, ACH1, ACH2, and ACH3 form a left front channel Lf, aright front channel Rf, a center channel C, and a surround channel Srespectively, and the fifth and sixth channels ACH4 and ACH5 are unused.According to the fourteenth type of the channel assignment, the leftfront channel Lf, the right front channel Rf, and the center channel Care in the group “1” while the surround channel S is in the group “2”.

Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to three while thechannel number in the group “2” is equal to one. A bit sequence of“01110” is assigned to a fifteenth type of the channel assignment inwhich the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth channels ACH0, ACH1,ACH2, ACH3, and ACH4 form a left front channel Lf, a right front channelRf, a center channel C, a left surround channel Ls, and a right surroundchannel Rs respectively, and the sixth channel ACH5 is unused. Accordingto the fifteenth type of the channel assignment, the left front channelLf, the right front channel Rf, and the center channel C are in thegroup “1” while the left surround channel Ls and the right surroundchannel Rs are in the group “2”. Thus, the channel number in the group“1” is equal to three while the channel number in the group “2” is equalto two. A bit sequence of “01111” is assigned to a sixteenth type of thechannel assignment in which the first, second, third, and fourthchannels ACH0, ACH1, ACH2, and ACH3 form a left front channel Lf, aright front channel Rf, a center channel C, and a low frequency effectchannel LFE respectively, and the fifth and sixth channels ACH4 and ACH5are unused. According to the sixteenth type of the channel assignment,the left front channel Lf, the right front channel Rf, and the centerchannel C are in the group “1” while the low frequency effect channelLFE is in the group “2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” isequal to three while the channel number in the group “2” is equal toone. A bit sequence of “10000” is assigned to a seventeenth type of thechannel assignment in which the first, second, third, fourth, and fifthchannels ACH0, ACH1, ACH2, ACH3, and ACH4 form a left front channel Lf,a right front channel Rf, a center channel C, a low frequency effectchannel LFE, and a surround channel S respectively, and the sixthchannel ACH5 is unused. According to the seventeenth type of the channelassignment, the left front channel Lf, the right front channel Rf, andthe center channel C are in the group “l” while the low frequency effectchannel LFE and the surround channel S are in the group “2”. Thus, thechannel number in the group “1” is equal to three while the channelnumber in the group “2” is equal to two. A bit sequence of “10001” isassigned to an eighteenth type of the channel assignment in which thefirst, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth channels ACH0, ACH1,ACH2, ACH3, ACH4, and ACH5 form a left front channel Lf, a right frontchannel Rf, a center channel C, a low frequency effect channel LFE, aleft surround signal Ls, and a right surround channel Rs respectively.According to the eighteenth type of the channel assignment, the leftfront channel Lf, the right front channel Rf, and the center channel Care in the group “1” while the low frequency effect channel LFE, theleft surround signal Ls, and the right surround channel Rs are in thegroup “2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to threewhile the channel number in the group “2” is also equal to three. A bitsequence of “10010” is assigned to a nineteenth type of the channelassignment in which the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth channelsACH0, ACH1, ACH2, ACH3, and ACH4 form a left front channel Lf, a rightfront channel Rf, a left surround channel Ls, a right surround channelRs, and a low frequency effect channel LFE respectively, and the sixthchannel ACH5 is unused. According to the nineteenth type of the channelassignment, the left front channel Lf, the right front channel Rf, theleft surround channel Ls, and the right surround channel Rs are in thegroup “1” while the low frequency effect channel LFE is in the group“2”. Thus, the channel number in the group “1” is equal to four whilethe channel number in the group “2” is equal to one. A bit sequence of“10011” is assigned to a twentieth type of the channel assignment inwhich the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth channels ACH0, ACH1,ACH2, ACH3, and ACH4 form a left front channel Lf, a right front channelRf, a left surround channel Ls, a right surround channel Rs, and acenter channel C respectively, and the sixth channel ACH5 is unused.According to the twentieth type of the channel assignment, the leftfront channel Lf, the right front channel Rf, the left surround channelLs, and the right surround channel Rs are in the group “1” while thecenter channel C is in the group “2”. Thus, the channel number in thegroup “1” is equal to four while the channel number in the group “2” isequal to one. A bit sequence of “10100” is assigned to a twenty-firsttype of the channel assignment in which the first, second, third,fourth, fifth, and sixth channels ACH0, ACH1, ACH2, ACH3, ACH4, and ACH5form a left front channel Lf, a right front channel Rf, a left surroundchannel Ls, a right surround channel Rs, a center channel C, and a lowfrequency effect channel LFE respectively. According to the twenty-firsttype of the channel assignment, the left front channel Lf, the rightfront channel Rf, the left surround channel Ls, and the right surroundchannel Rs are in the group “1” while the center channel C and the lowfrequency effect channel C are in the group “2”. Thus, the channelnumber in the group “1” is equal to four while the channel number in thegroup “2” is equal to two.

As previously indicated, one of the 128-byte AOTT AOB attributeAOTT-AOB-ATR and the 128-byte AOTT VOB audio stream attributeAOTT-VOB-AST-ATR is used, being located in the area having the relativebyte positions RBP256-RBP383 in the audio title set informationmanagement table ATSI-MAT of FIG. 48. When the related audio title setdoes not have an audio only title audio object set AOTT-AOBS, the AOTTVOB audio stream attribute AOTT-VOB-AST-ATR is used.

As shown in FIG. 51, the audio-only-title video-object audio-streamattribute AOTT-VOB-AST-ATR contains a sequence of 16 bytes, that is, 128bits b127, b126, b125, . . . , b1, b0. A set of the bits b127, b126,b125, b124, b123, b122, b121, and b120 represents an audio encodingmode. A set of the bits b111, b110, b109, and b108 represents aquantization bit number Q. A set of the bits b103, b102, b101, and b100represents a sampling frequency “fs”. A set of the bits b95, b94, andb93 represents a multiple channel type. A set of the bits b92, b91, b90,b89, and b88 represents channel assignment. A set of the bits b87, b86,and b85 represents a decoding audio stream number. A set of the bits b79and b78 represents information of MPEG audio quantization/dynamic rangecontrol (DRC). A set of the bits b75, b74, b73, and b72 represents acompressed audio channel number. The other bits form reserved areas.

The audio encoding mode represented by the bits b127, b126, b125, b124,b123, b122, b121, and b120 in FIG. 51 can be selected from among alinear PCM audio encoding mode, a Dolby digital encoding mode, an MPEG-2encoding mode without any extension, an MPEG-2 encoding mode with anextension, a DTS encoding mode, and an SDDS encoding mode. Specifically,a bit sequence of “00000000” is assigned to the linear PCM audioencoding mode. A bit sequence of “00000001” is assigned to the Dolbydigital encoding mode. A bit sequence of “00000010” is assigned to theMPEG-2 encoding mode without any extension. A bit sequence of “00000011”is assigned to the MPEG-2 encoding mode with an extension. A bitsequence of “00000100” is assigned to the DTS encoding mode. A bitsequence of “00000101” is assigned to the SDDS encoding mode.

Normally, the bits b127, b126, b125, b124, b123, b122, b121, and b120 inFIG. 51 are set to “00000000” representing the linear PCM audio encodingmode.

The quantization bit number Q which is represented by the bits b111,b110, b109, and b108 in FIG. 51 can be changed among 16 bits, 20 bits,and 24 bits. Specifically, a bit sequence of “0000” is assigned to 16bits. A bit sequence of “0001” is assigned to 20 bits. A bit sequence of“0010” is assigned to 24 bits.

The sampling frequency “fs” which is represented by the bits b103, b102,b101, and b10O in FIG. 51 can be changed among 48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz,44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, and 176.4 kHz. Specifically, a bit sequence of“0000” is assigned to 48 kHz. A bit sequence of “0001” is assigned to 96kHz. A bit sequence of “0010” is assigned to 192 kHz. A bit sequence of“1000” is assigned to 44.1 kHz. A bit sequence of “1001” is assigned to88.2 kHz. A bit sequence of “1010” is assigned to 176.4 kHz.

Normally, the bits b95, b94, and b93 in FIG. 51 are set to “000”representing that the multiple channel type agrees with a type “1”.

The channel assignment represented by the bits b92, b91, b90, b89, andb88 in FIG. 51 is similar to that represented by the bits b92, b91, b90,b89, and b88 in FIG. 49, and can be changed among 21 different typesshown in FIG. 50.

The decoding audio stream number represented by the bits b87, b86, andb85 in FIG. 51 is set to “0” or “1”.

The DRC information represented by the bits b79 and b78 in FIG. 51indicates either the presence of DRC data in an MPEG audio stream or theabsence of DRC data from an MPEG audio stream.

Specifically, a bit sequence of “00” is assigned to the absence of DRCdata from the MPEG audio stream. A bit sequence of “01” is assigned tothe presence of DRC data in the MPEG audio stream.

The compressed audio channel number represented by the bits b75, b74,b73, and b72 in FIG. 51 can be changed among “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”,“6”, “7”, and “8” . Specifically, a bit sequence “0000” is assigned to achannel number of “1”. A bit sequence “0001” is assigned to a channelnumber of “2”. A bit sequence “0010” is assigned to a channel number of“3”. A bit sequence “0011” is assigned to a channel number of “4”. A bitsequence “0100” is assigned to a channel number of “5”. A bit sequence“0101” is assigned to a channel number of “6”. A bit sequence “01100” isassigned to a channel number of “7”. A bit sequence “0111” is assignedto a channel number of “8”.

FIG. 52 shows the details of the 288-byte area for the multiple channelaudio data down mix coefficients ATS-DM-COEFT#0-#15 in FIG. 48. Thecoefficients ATS-DM-COEFT#0-#15 are designed for down mix of multiplechannel audio data into two channels. As shown in FIG. 52, the 288-bytearea is divided into sixteen 18-byte sub areas. The first sub area isassigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#0 for a table number of “0”.The second sub area is assigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT# 1 for atable number of “1”. The third sub area is assigned to the coefficientATS-DM-COEFT#2 for a table number of “2”. The fourth sub area isassigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#3 for a table number of “3”.The fifth sub area is assigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#4 for atable number of “4”. The sixth sub area is assigned to the coefficientATS-DM-COEFT#5 for a table number of “5”. The seventh sub area isassigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#6 for a table number of “6”.The eighth sub area is assigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#7 for atable number of “7”. The ninth sub area is assigned to the coefficientATS-DM-COEFT#8 for a table number of “8”. The tenth sub area is assignedto the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#9 for a table number of “9”. Theeleventh sub area is assigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#10 for atable number of “10”. The twelfth sub area is assigned to thecoefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#11 for a table number of “11”. The thirteenthsub area is assigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#12 for a tablenumber of “12”. The fourteenth sub area is assigned to the coefficientATS-DM-COEFT#13 for a table number of “13”. The fifteenth sub area isassigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#14 for a table number of “14”.The sixteenth sub area is assigned to the coefficient ATS-DM-COEFT#15for a table number of “15”.

FIG. 53 shows the details of the 2-byte AOTT AOBS still-picture dataattribute ATS-SPCT-ATR in FIG. 48. As shown in FIG. 53, the 2-byte AOITAOBS still-picture data attribute ATS-SPCT-ATR has a sequence of bitsb15, b14, b13, . . . , b1, b0. A set of the bits b15 and b14 representsa video compression mode. A set of the bits b13 and b12 represents atelevision system. A set of the bits b11 and b10 represents an aspectratio. A set of the bits b9 and b8 represents a display mode. A set ofthe bits b7 and b6 is reserved. A set of the bits b5, b4, and b3represents a source picture resolution. A set of the bits b2, b1, and b0is reserved.

The video compression mode represented by the bits b5 and b14 in FIG. 53can be changed between an MPEG-1 type and an MPEG-2 type. Specifically,a bit sequence of “00” is assigned to the MPEG-1 type. A bit sequence of“01” is assigned to the MPEG-2 type.

The television system represented by the bits b13 and b12 in FIG. 53 canbe changed between a 525/60 type and a 625/60 type. Specifically, a bitsequence of “00” is assigned to the 525/60 type. A bit sequence of “01”is assigned to the 625/60 type.

The aspect ratio represented by the bits b11 and b10 in FIG. 53 can bechanged between a 4:3 type and a 16:9 type. Specifically, a bit sequenceof “00” is assigned to the 4:3 type. A bit sequence of “11” is assignedto the 16:9 type.

The display mode represented by the bits b9 and b8 in FIG. 53 can bechanged between a first type allowing only a letter box and a secondtype corresponding to no mention. Specifically, a bit sequence of “10”is assigned to the first type. A bit sequence of “11” is assigned to thesecond type.

The source picture resolution represented by the bits b5, b4, and b3 inFIG. 53 can be changed between a 720-by-480 type and a 720-by-576 typewhich correspond to the 525/60 television system and the 625/60television system respectively. Specifically, a bit sequence of “000” isassigned to the 720-by-480 type. A bit sequence of “001” is assigned tothe 720-by-576 type.

FIG. 54 shows the details of the audio title set program chaininformation table ATS-PGCIT in FIG. 32. As shown in FIG. 54, the audiotitle set program chain information table ATS-PGCIT has a sequence ofaudio title set PGCI table information ATS-PGCITI, audio title set PGCIsearch pointers ATS-PGCI-SRP#1-#n, and audio title set program chaininformation pieces ATS-PGCI.

As shown in FIG. 55, the audio title set PGCI table informationATS-PGCIT has 8 bytes. Specifically, the audio title set PGCI tableinformation ATS-PGCIT has a sequence of a 2-byte area representing theaudio title set PGCI search pointer (ATS-PGCI-SRP) number, a 2-bytereserved area, and a 4-byte area representing an ATS-PGCIT end address.

As shown in FIG. 56, each of the audio title set PGCI search pointersATS-PGCI-SRP#1-#n has 8 bytes. Specifically, each of the audio title setPGCI search pointers ATS-PGCI-SRP#1-#n has a sequence of a 4-byte arearepresenting an ATS-PGC category ATS-PGC-CAT, and a 4-byte arearepresenting ATS-PGCI end address.

FIG. 57 shows the details of the ATS-PGC category ATS-PGC-CAT in FIG.56. As shown in FIG. 57, the ATS-PGC category ATS5 PGC-CAT has asequence of 32 bits b31, b30, b29, . . . , b1, b0. The bit b31represents an entry type. A set of the bits b30, b29, b28, b27, b26,b25, and b24 represents an ATS audio title number ATS-TTN. A set of thebits b23 and b22 represents a block mode. A set of the bits b21 and b20represents a block type. A set of the bits b19, b18, b17, and b16represents an audio channel number. A set of the bits b15, b14, b13,b12, b11, b10, b9, and b8 represents an audio encoding mode. A set ofthe bits b7, b6, b5, b4, b3, b2, b1, and b0 is reserved.

The entry type represented by the bit b31 in FIG. 57 can be changedbetween a first state not corresponding to an entry PGC and a secondtype corresponding to an entry PGC. Specifically, a bit of “0” isassigned to the first state. A bit of “1” is assigned to the secondstate.

The audio title number ATS-TTN represented by the bits b30, b29, b28,b27, b26, b25, and b24 in FIG. 57 can be changed in the range of “1” to“99”.

The block mode represented by the bits b23 and b22 in FIG. 57 can bechanged among a first type not corresponding to an ATS-PGC in an ATS-PGCblock, a second type corresponding to a first ATS-PGC in an ATS-PGCblock, and a third type corresponding to a final ATS-PGC in an ATS-PGCblock. Specifically, a bit sequence of “00” is assigned to the firsttype. A bit sequence of “01” is assigned to the second type. A bitsequence of “11” is assigned to the third type.

The block type represented by the bits b21 and b20FIG. 57 can be changedamong a first state not corresponding to a part of the related block, asecond state corresponding to a differential block of an audio encodingmode only, a third state corresponding to a differential block of anaudio channel only, and a fourth state corresponding to a differentialblock of both an audio encoding mode and an audio channel. Specifically,a bit sequence of “00” is assigned to the first state. A bit sequence of“01” is assigned to the second state. A bit sequence of “10” is assignedto the third state. A bit sequence of “11” is assigned to the fourthstate.

The audio channel number represented by the bits b19, b18, b17, and b16in FIG. 57 can be changed between a first type indicating two channelsor less and a second type indicating three or more channels.

FIG. 58 shows the details of each of the audio title set program chaininformation pieces ATS-PGCI in FIG. 54. As shown in FIG. 58, each of theaudio title set program chain information pieces ATS-PGCI has a sequenceof ATS-PGC general information ATS-PGC-GI, an ATS program informationtable ATS-PGIT, and an ATS cell playback information table ATS-C-PBIT.

As shown in FIG. 59, the ATS-PGC general information ATS2 PGC-GI has 16bytes. The ATS-PGC general information ATS-PGCGI has a sequence of a4-byte area representing ATS-PGC contents ATS-PGC-CNT, a 4-byte arearepresenting an ATS-PGC playback time ATS-PGC-PB-TM, a 2-byte reservedarea, a 2-byte area representing an ATS-PGIT start address, a 2-bytearea representing an ATS-C-PBIT start address, and a 2-byte reservedarea.

FIG. 60 shows the details of the ATS-PGC contents ATS-PGC-CNT in FIG.59. As shown in FIG. 60, the ATS-PGC contents ATS-PGC-CNT has a sequenceof 32 bits b31, b30, b29, . . . , b1, b0. A set of the bits b31, b30,b29, . . . , b16, and b15 is reserved. A set of the bits b14, b13, b12,b11, b10, b9, and b8 represents a program number (a tune number or amovement number) which can be changed in the range of “1” to “99”. A setof the bits b7, b6, b5, b4, b3, b2, b1, and b0 represents a cell numberwhich can be changed in the range of “1” to “255”.

FIG. 61 shows the details of the ATS program information table ATS-PGITin FIG. 58. As shown in FIG. 61, the ATS program information tableATS-PGIT has a sequence of ATS program information pieces ATS-PGI#1-#n.

As shown in FIG. 62, each of the ATS program information piecesATS-PGI#1-#n has 20 bytes. Specifically, each of the ATS programinformation pieces ATS-PGI#1-#n has a sequence of a 4 byte arearepresenting ATS-PG contents ATS-PG-CNT, a 1-byte area representing anATS-PG entry cell number, a 1-byte reserved area, a 4-byte arearepresenting a first ATS-PG audio cell start presentation timeFAC-S-PTM, a 4-byte area representing an ATS-PG playback time, a 4-bytearea representing an ATS-PG pause time, a 1-byte area assigned tocopyright management information CMI, and a 1-byte reserved area. The1-byte area for copyright management information CMI may be used as areserved area.

FIG. 63 shows the details of the ATS-PG contents ATS-PG-CNT in FIG. 62.As shown in FIG. 63, the ATS-PG contents ATS-PG-CNT has a sequence of 32bits b31, b30, b29, . . . , b1, b0. The bit b31 represents the relationR/A between the present PG and the preceding PG. The bit b30 representsan STC discontinuity flag STC-F. A set of the bits b29, b28, and b27represents an attribute number ATRN. A set of the bits b26, b25, and b24represents bit shift data for the channel group “2”. A set of the bitsb23 and b22 is reserved. The bit b21 represents a down mix mode D-M. Thebit 20 represents the effectiveness of down mix coefficients. A set ofthe bits b19, b18, and b17 represents a down mix coefficient tablenumber DM-COEFTN. The bits b15, b14, b13, . . . , b1, and b0 representRTI flags F15, F14, F13, . . . , F1, and F0 respectively.

FIG. 64 shows the details of the ATS cell playback information tableATS-C-PBIT in FIG. 58. As shown in FIG. 64, the ATS cell playbackinformation table ATS-C-PBIT has a sequence of ATS cell playbackinformation pieces ATS-C-PBI#1-#n.

As shown in FIG. 65, each of the ATS cell playback information piecesATS-C-PBI#1-#n has 12 bytes. Specifically, each of the ATS cell playbackinformation pieces ATS-C-PBI#1-#n has a sequence of a 1-byte arearepresenting an ATS-C index number, a 1-byte area representing an ATS-Ctype ATS-C-TY, a 2-byte reserved area, a 4-byte area representing anATS-C start address, and a 4-byte area representing an ATS-C endaddress.

FIG. 66 shows the details of the ATS-C type ATS-C-TY in FIG. 65. Asshown in FIG. 66, the ATS-C type ATS-C-TY has a sequence of eight bitsb7, b6, b5, b4, b3, b2, b1, and b0. A set of the bits b7 and b6represents an ATS cell composition ATS-C-COMP. A set of the bits b5 andb4 is reserved. A set of the bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 represents an ATScell usage ATS-C-Usage.

The ATS cell composition ATS-C-COMP represented by the bits b7 and b6 inFIG. 66 can be changed among a first type corresponding to an audio cellcomposed of audio data only, a second type corresponding to an audiocell composed of both audio data and real-time information, a third typecorresponding to a silence cell composed of only audio data for silence,and a fourth type corresponding to a picture cell composed ofstill-picture data only. A bit sequence of “00” is assigned to the firsttype. A bit sequence of “01” is assigned to the second type. A bitsequence of “10” is assigned to the third type. A bit sequence of “11”is assigned to the fourth type.

The ATS cell usage ATS-C-Usage represented by the bits b3, b2, b1, andb0 in FIG. 66 can be changed between a first type corresponding to nomention and a second type corresponding to a spot light part. A bitsequence of “0000” is assigned to the first type. A bit sequence of“0001” is assigned to the second type.

The audio title set information ATSI in FIG. 32 may be replaced by audiotitle set information ATSI in FIG. 67. The audio title set informationATSI in FIG. 67 has a sequence of an audio title set informationmanagement table ATSI-MAT, an audio title set program chain informationtable ATS-PGCIT, and a still-picture control information table SPCIT.The still-picture control information table SPCIT has a sequence ofSPCIT general information SPCIT-GI, SPCIT time control data informationSPCIT-TCDI, and still-picture page control command information SPPI.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 68 shows an audio-signal encoding apparatus according to an eighthembodiment of this invention. The apparatus of FIG. 68 includesanalog-to-digital (A/D) converters 31, 31V, and 31SP, a signalprocessing circuit 32, a video encoder 32V, a compressive encoder 32SP,a memory 33, a DVD formatting section 34, and an interface 40A.

An analog video signal is applied to the A/D converter 31V. The A/Dconverter 31V is followed by the video encoder 32V. The video encoder32V is followed by the DVD formatting section 34.

An analog audio signal is applied to the A/D converter 31. In general,the analog audio signal has multiple channels including, for example,front and rear channels. The analog audio signal may be of the monauraltype. The A/D converter 31 is followed by the signal processing circuit32. The memory 33 is connected to the signal processing circuit 32. Thesignal processing circuit 32 and the memory 33 cooperate to implementdesired signal processing. The memory 33 may be incorporated in thesignal processing circuit 32 similarly to a conventional design. Thesignal processing circuit 32 is followed by the DVD formatting section34.

An analog still-picture signal is applied to the A/D converter 31SP. TheA/D converter 31SP is followed by the compressive encoder 32SP. Thecompressive encoder 32SP is followed by the DVD formatting section 34.

Copyright information and real-time text information (real-timeinformation) are applied to the interface 40A. The interface 40A isfollowed by the DVD formatting section 34.

The DVD formatting section 34 is successively followed by a modulationcircuit 35A and a master making apparatus 35B.

The A/D converter 31 samples the analog audio signal at a given samplingfrequency “fs” (for example, 192 kHz), and changes every sample of theanalog audio signal into a corresponding digital sample. Thus, the A/Dconverter 31 changes the analog audio signal into a correspondingdigital audio signal (for example, a PCM audio signal) with a givenquantization bit number (for example, 24 bits). In other words, the A/Dconverter 31 quantizes the analog audio signal into the correspondingdigital audio signal. The quantization implemented by the A/D converter31 may vary from channel to channel. For example, the A/D converter 31quantizes front-channel components of the analog audio signal at a firstpredetermined sampling frequency and a first predetermined quantizationbit number. The A/D converter 31 quantizes rear-channel components ofthe analog audio signal at a second predetermined sampling frequency anda second predetermined bit number which are equal to or different fromthe first predetermined sampling frequency and the first predeterminedquantization bit number respectively. The A/D converter 31 outputs thedigital audio signal to the signal processing circuit 32.

Operation of the signal processing circuit 32 can be changed betweenfirst and second modes which correspond to the absence and the presenceof thinning (or decimation) respectively.

During operation of the signal processing circuit 32 in the first mode(the absence of thinning or decimation), the digital audio signal istransmitted from the A/D converter 31 to the DVD formatting section 34without being processed.

During operation of the signal processing circuit 32 in the second mode(the presence of thinning or decimation), the digital audio signal iscompressed by the signal processing circuit 32. The signal compressionimplemented by the signal processing circuit 32 is based on a decimatingprocess or a bit shifting process. The compression-resultant digitalaudio signal is fed from the signal processing circuit 32 to the DVDformatting section 34. Preferably, audio data of channels in a group “2”is compressed by the signal processing circuit 32.

The A/D converter 31V changes the analog video signal into acorresponding digital video signal for a menu picture which correspondsto an audio manager menu AMGM. The A/D converter 31V outputs the digitalvideo signal to the video encoder 32V. The video encoder 32V changes thedigital video signal into an MPEG-format video signal. The video encoder32V outputs the MPEG-format video signal to the DVD formatting section34.

The A/D converter 31SP changes the analog still-picture signal into acorresponding digital still-picture signal. The A/D converter 31SPoutputs the digital still-picture signal to the compressive encoder32SP. The compressive encoder 32SP changes the digital still-picturesignal into an MPEG-format still-picture signal. The compressive encoder32SP outputs the MPEG-format still-picture signal to the DVD formattingsection 34.

The copyright information and the real-time text information aretransmitted to the DVD formatting section 34 via the interface 40A.

The DVD formatting section 34 receives character information, discidentifier information, and control data from suitable devices (notshown). The control data represents display time information,sampling-frequency information, quantization-bit-number information,thinning information (decimating information), and other information tobe added. The DVD formatting section 34 packs the digital audio signal,the MPEG-format video signal, the MPEG-format still-picture signal, thecopyright information, the real-time text information, the characterinformation, the disc identifier information, and the control data intoa composite signal of the DVD-Audio format in the embodiment of FIGS.32-67.

The DVD formatting section 34 outputs the composite signal of theDVD-Audio format to the modulation circuit 35A. The modulation circuit35A subjects the composite signal of the DVD-Audio format to givenmodulation (for example, EFM modulation) suited to a DVD-Audio. Themodulation circuit 35A outputs the modulation-resultant signal to themaster making apparatus 35B.

The apparatus 35B makes a master disc 35C in response to the outputsignal of the modulation circuit 35A. The maser disc 35C stores theoutput signal of the modulation circuit 35A. DVD-Audios are made by aDVD making apparatus (not shown) on the basis of the master disc 35C.

A recording and reproducing apparatus 35J may follow the DVD formattingsection 34. The recording and reproducing apparatus 35J receives thecomposite signal of the DVD-Audio format from the DVD formatting section34. The recording and reproducing apparatus 35J records the compositesignal of the DVD-Audio format on a suitable recording medium 35M. Therecording and reproducing apparatus 35J reproduces the composite signalof the DVD-Audio format from the recording medium 35M. The recording andreproducing apparatus 35J outputs the reproduced composite signal of theDVD-Audio format.

A communication interface 35K may be connected to the DVD formattingsection 34 and the recording and reproducing apparatus 35J. Thecommunication interface 35K receives the composite signal of theDVD-Audio format from the DVD formatting section 34 or the recording andreproducing apparatus 35J. The communication interface 35K transmits thecomposite signal of the DVD-Audio format to a communication line(including a radio communication line).

The audio-signal encoding apparatus of FIG. 68 may be formed by acomputer-based apparatus which operates in accordance with a computerprogram stored in an internal memory. In this case, a recording mediummay be prepared which stores the control program. The internal memory ofthe computer-based apparatus is loaded with the computer program fromthe recording medium, and then the computer-based apparatus is startedto implement a desired encoding process in accordance with the computerprogram.

The audio-signal encoding apparatus of FIG. 68 can also be used inproviding DVD-Audios in later embodiments of this invention.

Ninth Embodiment

FIG. 69 shows a DVD-Audio player including an audio-signal decodingapparatus according to a ninth embodiment of this invention. The playerin FIG. 69 is designed for a DVD-Audio in the embodiment of FIGS. 32-67.The player in FIG. 69 can also be used for playback of information fromDVD-Audios in later embodiments of this invention.

The player in FIG. 69 operates on a DVD-Audio 1. The player in FIG. 69includes an operation unit 18 and a remote control unit 19. The remotecontrol unit 19 can communicate with the operation unit 18 by wireless.The operation unit 18 is connected to a control unit 23. The controlunit 23 includes a CPU. The control unit 23 is connected to a drive unit2 and a reproduced signal processing unit 17. The drive unit 2 isconnected to the reproduced signal processing unit 17.

The CPU 23 operates in accordance with a control program stored in aninternal ROM. When the user actuates the operation unit 18 or the remotecontrol unit 19 to request tune selection, playback, fast feed, or stop,the CPU 23 controls the drive unit 2 and the reproduced signalprocessing unit 17 to implement the requested operation mode.

During playback, the drive unit 2 reads out a signal from the DVD-Audio1. The drive unit 2 includes a demodulator which subjects the readoutsignal to given demodulation (for example, EFM demodulation). The driveunit 2 outputs the demodulation-resultant signal to the reproducedsignal processing unit 17 as a reproduced signal.

The reproduced signal processing circuit 17 includes a video andstill-picture pack detector 3 which receives the reproduced signal fromthe drive unit 2. The video and still-picture pack detector 3 detectsvideo packs V and still-picture packs SPCT in the reproduced signal. Thevideo and still-picture pack detector 3 generates control parameters inresponse to the detected video packs V and the detected still-picturepacks SPCT. The video and still-picture pack detector 3 sets the controlparameters in a parameter unit (a parameter memory) 8. The video andstill-picture pack detector 3 sequentially writes the video packs V andthe still-picture packs SPCT into a video and still-picture pack buffer4.

The reproduced signal processing circuit 17 includes a reading unit 5connected to the video and still-picture pack buffer 4. The reading unit5 reads out user data and still-picture data from the video packs V andthe still-picture packs SPCT in the video and still-picture pack buffer4 in an order determined by SCR information (see FIG. 14) in each of thevideo packs V and the still-picture packs SPCT. The reading unit 5outputs a stream of the user data and the still-picture data to apicture converter 6. The picture converter 6 changes the user andstill-picture data stream into a corresponding digital video signal. Thepicture converter 6 outputs the digital video signal to adigital-to-analog (D/A) converter 7. The D/A converter 7 changes thedigital video signal into a corresponding analog video signal. The D/Aconverter 7 outputs the analog video signal to an external device (notshown).

The reproduced signal processing circuit 17 includes an audio and RTIpack detector 9 which receives the reproduced signal from the drive unit2. The audio and RTI pack detector 9 detects audio packs A and real-timeinformation packs RTI in the reproduced signal. The audio and RTI packdetector 9 generates control parameters in response to the detectedaudio packs A and the detected real-time information packs RTI. Theaudio and RTI pack detector 9 sets the control parameters in a parameterunit (a parameter memory) 14. The audio and RTI pack detector 9sequentially writes the audio packs A and the real-time informationpacks RTI into an audio and RTI pack buffer 10.

The reproduced signal processing circuit 17 includes a reading unit 11connected to the audio pack buffer 10. The reading unit 11 reads outuser data (audio data) from the audio packs A in the audio and RTI packbuffer 10 in an order determined by SCR information (see FIG. 14) ineach of the audio packs A. The reading unit 11 outputs a stream of theuser data (the audio data) to a PCM converter 12. The PCM converter 12changes the user data stream (the audio data stream) into acorresponding digital audio signal by a PCM decoding process. The PCMconverter 12 outputs the digital audio signal to a digital-to-analog(D/A) converter 13. The D/A converter 13 changes the digital audiosignal into a corresponding analog audio signal. The analog audio signalhas, for example, a left front channel Lf, a right front channel Rf, aleft surround channel Ls, a right surround channel Rs, a center channelC, and a low frequency effect channel LFE. The D/A converter 13 outputsthe analog audio signal to an external device (not shown).

In addition, the reading unit 11 reads out real-time information (audiocharacter display information or ACD information) from the real-timeinformation packs RTI in the audio and RTI pack buffer 10 in an orderdetermined by ISCR information in each of the real-time informationpacks RTI. The reading unit 11 outputs the real-time information to adisplay signal generator 20. The display signal generator 20 convertsthe real-time information into a corresponding display signal. Thedisplay signal generator 20 outputs the display signal to a displaydevice 21. The display device 21 indicates the display signal. Thedisplay signal generator 20 may output the display signal to an externaldevice (not shown).

The reproduced signal processing unit 17 includes a detector 95 whichreceives the reproduced signal from the drive unit 2. The detector 95extracts information of sampling frequencies “fs” (fs1 and fs2) andinformation of quantization bit numbers Q (Q1 and Q2) from thereproduced signal. The detector 95 feeds the information of the samplingfrequencies “fs” (fs1 and fs2) and the information of the quantizationbit numbers Q (Q1 and Q2) to the CPU 23. The CPU 23 controls the PCMconverter 12 and the D/A converter 13 in response to the information ofthe sampling frequencies “fs” (fs1 and fs2) and the information of thequantization bit numbers Q (Q1 and Q2). Accordingly, conditions of theinverse quantization (the signal decoding) implemented by the PCMconverter 12 and the D/A converter 13 depend on the information of thesampling frequencies “fs” (fs1 and fs2) and the information of thequantization bit numbers Q (Q1 and Q2). Thus, the inverse quantizationcan be on a channel by channel basis or a channel-group by channel-groupbasis.

The audio-signal decoding apparatus in FIG. 69 may be modified to have aread/write memory which stores the control program for the CPU 23. Arecording medium may be prepared which stores the control program forthe CPU 23. In this case, the read/write memory in the audio-signaldecoding apparatus is loaded with the control program from the recordingmedium, and then the CPU 23 in the audio-signal decoding apparatus isstarted to implement a desired encoding process in accordance with thecontrol program.

Tenth Embodiment

FIG. 70 shows a DVD-Audio player including an audio-signal decodingapparatus according to a tenth embodiment of this invention. The playerin FIG. 70 is basically similar to the player in FIG. 69.

The player in FIG. 70 operates on a DVD-Audio 1 which has a TOC area 1 aloaded with TOC information. The TOC area 1 a may be included in thelead-in area of the DVD-Audio 1. The player in FIG. 70 includes acontrol unit 23 connected to an operation unit (not shown). The controlunit 23 includes a CPU. A remote control unit (not shown) cancommunicate with the operation unit by wireless. The control unit 23 isconnected to a drive unit 2.

The drive unit 2 is connected to a TOC detector 24, an audio processingblock 17A, and a video processing block 17B. The TOC detector 24 isconnected to a memory 14A. The memory 14A is connected to the controlunit 23. The audio processing block 17A is connected to the control unit23. The audio processing block 17A is connected to an audio output block13A and a display signal generator 20. The video processing block 17B isconnected to a video output block 7A and a sub picture output block 7B.

When the DVD-Audio 1 is set in position within the player of FIG. 70,the drive unit 2 reads out a signal from the TOC area 1 a of theDVD-Audio 1. The drive unit 2 outputs the readout signal to the TOCdetector 24. The TOC detector 24 detects TOC information in the readoutsignal. The TOC detector 24 stores the detected TOC information into thememory 14A.

When the user actuates the operation unit or the remote control unit toselect a desired tune, the control unit 23 refers to the TOC informationin the memory 14A and controls the drive unit 2 in response to the TOCinformation to start playback of the desired tune from its head.

During playback, the drive unit 2 reads out a signal from the DVD-Audio1. The drive unit 2 outputs the readout signal to the audio processingblock 17A and the video processing block 17B as a reproduced signal. Theaudio processing block 17A separates audio data from the reproducedsignal. The audio processing block 17A feeds the audio data to the audiooutput device 13A. The audio output device 13A converts the audio datainto a corresponding audio signal. The audio output device 13A feeds theaudio signal to an external device (not shown). In addition, the audioprocessing block 17A separates real-time information (audio characterdisplay information) from the reproduced signal. The audio processingblock 17A feeds the real-time information to the display signalgenerator 20. The audio processing block 17A may feed the real-timeinformation to the audio output block 13A. The display signal generator20 converts the real-time information into a corresponding displaysignal. The display signal generator 20 feeds the display signal to anexternal device (not shown). Furthermore, the audio processing block 17Aseparates an audio manager AMG and audio title sets ATS from thereproduced signal. The audio processing block 17A feeds the audiomanager AMG and the audio title sets ATS to the control unit 23.

During playback, the video processing block 17B separates video data andstill-picture data from the reproduced signal. The video processingblock 17B feeds the video data and the still-picture data to the videooutput block 7A. The video output block 7A converts the video data andthe still-picture data into a corresponding video signal. The videooutput device 7A feeds the video signal to an external device (notshown). In addition, the video processing block 17B separates subpicture information from the reproduced signal. The video processingblock 17B feeds the sub picture information to the sub picture outputblock 7B. The sub picture output block 7B converts the sub pictureinformation into a corresponding sub picture signal. The sub pictureoutput block 7B feeds the sub picture signal to an external device (notshown).

The operation of the player in FIG. 70 will be further explained below.During playback, the DVD-Audio 1 is accessed while data is read outtherefrom. The readout data is separated into a video signal, astill-picture signal, an audio signal, a copyright information signal, areal-time text information signal, a character information signal, and adisc identifier information signal. The video signal is decoded into adecoding-resultant video signal. The still-picture signal is decodedinto a decoding-resultant still picture signal. The audio signal isdecoded into a decoding-resultant audio signal. The copyrightinformation signal is decoded into a decoding-resultant copyrightinformation signal. The real-time text information signal is decodedinto a decoding-resultant real-time text information signal. Thecharacter information signal is decoded into a decoding-resultantcharacter information signal. The disc identifier information signal isdecoded into a decoding-resultant disc identifier information signal.The decoding-resultant video signal, the decoding-resultant stillpicture signal, the decoding-resultant audio signal, thedecoding-resultant copyright information signal, the decoding-resultantreal-time text information signal, the decoding-resultant characterinformation signal, and the decoding-resultant disc identifierinformation signal are subjected to a synchronously reproducing processto recover original information signals in a proper timing relation.

The reproducing process on the decoding-resultant still-picture signalcan be changed among the following three types 1), 2), and 3).

1) When the still-picture signal is provided, the reproducing process onthe audio signal is interrupted and an audio muting process isimplemented.

2) When the still-picture signal is provided, the reproducing process onthe still-picture signal is implemented together with the reproducingprocess on the audio signal in response to a time control signal. Thistype of the reproducing process is referred to as “slide shows”.

3) When the still-picture signal is provided, the reproducing process onthe still-picture signal is implemented on a page change basis inresponse to a page change command given by a user. In this case, thereproducing process on the audio signal is continued as it is. This typeof the reproducing process is referred to as “browsable pictures”.

Generally, the time control signal which has been mentioned regardingthe above-indicated type 2) is placed in the SPCIT time control datainformation SPCIT-TCDI (see FIG. 67). The page change command which hasbeen mentioned regarding the above-indicated type 3) is placed in thestill-picture page control command information SPPI (see FIG. 67).

It should be noted that side information for still-picture page controlmay be contained in the still-picture data in a still-picture pack SPCT(see FIG. 47). Alternatively, side information for still-picture pagecontrol may be contained in the real-time data in a real-timeinformation pack RTI (see FIG. 46).

Eleventh Embodiment

FIG. 71 shows a packing apparatus according to an eleventh embodiment ofthis invention. The packing apparatus of FIG. 71 includes a packingprocessor 30E, a buffer memory 30G, a control circuit 29E, an operationunit 27E, and a display device 28E. The packing processor 30E isconnected to the buffer memory 30G and the control circuit 29E. Thepacking processor 30E is connected to a network via an interface (notshown). The control circuit 29E is connected to the operation unit 27Eand the display device 28E.

The packing processor 30E receives a video signal “V”, a still-picturesignal “SP”, an audio signal “A”, a real-time information signal “RTI”,and a disc identifier signal “EXT”. The packing processor 30E processesthe video signal “V”, the still-picture signal “SP”, the audio signal“A”, the real-time information signal “RTI”, and the disc identifiersignal “EXIT” into a processing-resultant signal under the control bythe control circuit 29E. The packing processor 30E outputs theprocessing-resultant signal to, for example, a transmission line, acommunication network, or a signal recording apparatus.

The control circuit 29E includes a CPU which operates in accordance witha control program stored in an internal ROM. FIG. 72 is a flowchart of asegment of the control program for the control circuit 29E.

As shown in FIG. 72, a first block S100A of the program segmentgenerates audio packs, video packs, still-picture packs, and a real-timetext in response to the video signal “V”, the still-picture signal “SP”,the audio signal “A”, the real-time information signal “RTI”, and thedisc identifier signal “EXT”.

A step S200A following the block S100A manages cells ATS-C. A step S300Asubsequent to the step S200A manages parts of titles PTT. A step S400Afollowing the step S300A manages audio-only-title audio-objectsAOTT-AOB. A step S500A subsequent to the step S400A manages anaudio-only-title audio-object-set AOTT-AOBS.

A block S600A following the step S500A generates audio title sets ATS. Astep S700A subsequent to the block S600A generates an audio manager AMG.A step S800A following the step S700A generates TOC information. Afterthe step S800A, the execution of the program segment ends.

FIG. 73 shows the details of the block S100A in FIG. 72. As shown inFIG. 73, the block S100A includes a step S101A which generates the audiopacks. A step S102A following the step S101A generates the video packs.A step S103A subsequent to the step S102A generates the still-picturepacks. A step S104A following the step S103A generates the real-timetext (RTI). The step S104 may also generate the disc identifier signal(EXT). The step S104A is followed by the step S200A in FIG. 72.

FIG. 74 shows the details of the block S600A in FIG. 72. As shown inFIG. 74, the block S600A includes a step S601A following the step S500Ain FIG. 72. The step S601A generates title sets. A step S602A subsequentto the step S601A generates a menu. A step S603A following the stepS602A writes an ATS-PGCI category. A step S604A subsequent to the stepS603A generates a program information table PGIT having PG contentsincluding bit-shift information. The step S604A generates program chaininformation PGCI, and a program chain information table ATS-PGCIT. Astep S605A following the step S604A generates attribute and coefficientmanagement tables MAT, and thereby generates ATS information ATSI. Thestep S605A is followed by the step S700A in FIG. 72.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart of another segment of the control program for thecontrol circuit 29E. The program segment in FIG. 75 is designed tohandle digital audio data which has been formatted according to theprogram segment in FIG. 72. As shown in FIG. 75, a first step S41A ofthe program segment divides the audio data into basic packets eachhaving a predetermined number of bits. A step S42A following the stepS41A adds headers to the starting ends of the basic packets to changethe basic packets to final packets respectively. Generally, the addedheaders include destination addresses. A step S43A subsequent to thestep S42A sequentially transmits the final packets to the network.

The packing apparatus in FIG. 71 may be modified to have a read/writememory which stores the control program for the CPU in the controlcircuit 29E. A recording medium may be prepared which stores the controlprogram for the CPU in the control circuit 29E. In this case, theread/write memory in the packing apparatus is loaded with the controlprogram from the recording medium, and then the CPU in the controlcircuit 29E is started to implement a desired packing process inaccordance with the control program.

Twelfth Embodiment

FIG. 76 shows an unpacking apparatus according to a twelfth embodimentof this invention. The unpacking apparatus of FIG. 76 includes anunpacking processor 60E, a buffer memory 60G, a control circuit 59E, anoperation unit 57E, a display device 58E, and a parameter memory 56E.The unpacking processor 60E is connected to a network via an interface(not shown). The unpacking processor 60E is connected to the buffermemory 60G, the parameter memory 56E, and the control circuit 59E. Thecontrol circuit 59E is connected to the parameter memory 56E, theoperation unit 57E, and the display device 58E.

The unpacking processor 60E receives a stream of packets from thenetwork. The unpacking processor 60E decomposes the packet stream into avideo signal “V”, a still-picture signal “SP”, an audio signal “A”, areal-time information signal “RTI”, and a disc identifier signal “EXT”under the control by the control circuit 59E. The unpacking processor60E outputs the video signal “V”, the still-picture signal “SP”, theaudio signal “A”, the real-time information signal “RTI”, and the discidentifier signal “EXT”.

The control circuit 59E includes a CPU which operates in accordance witha control program stored in an internal ROM. FIG. 77 is a flowchart of asegment of the control program for the control circuit 59E.

As shown in FIG. 77, a first step S51A of the program segment removesheaders from received packets. A step S52A following the step S51Arecovers original data from the header-less packets. A step S53Asubsequent to the step S52A stores the recovered original data into thebuffer memory 60G.

FIG. 78 is a flowchart of another segment of the control program for thecontrol circuit 59E. The program segment in FIG. 78 is designed toprocess the recovered original data in the buffer memory 60G. As shownin FIG. 78, a first step S1100 of the program segment decodes an audiomanager AMG to detect audio title sets ATS.

A block S1200 following the step S1100 decodes ATS information of adesired audio title set ATS. After the block S1200, the program advancesto a step S1300.

The step S1300 detects packs. A block S1400 following the step S1300decodes the packs into an audio signal, a video signal, a still-picturesignal, a real-time text signal, and a disc identifier signal. A stepS1500 subsequent to the block S1400 outputs the audio signal, the videosignal, the still-picture signal, the real-time text signal, and thedisc identifier signal.

A step S1600 following the step S1500 decides whether or not a commandto stop playback is present. When the command to stop playback ispresent, the program exits from the step S1600 and then the execution ofthe program segment ends. Otherwise, the program returns from the stepS1600 to the step S1300.

FIG. 79 shows the details of the block S1200 in FIG. 78. As shown inFIG. 79, the block S1200 includes a step S1201 which follows the stepS1100 in FIG. 78. The step S1201 decodes an ATS-PGCI category. A stepS1202 following the step S1201 decodes a program information table PGIThaving PG contents including bit-shift information. A step S1203subsequent to the step S1202 decodes attribute and coefficientmanagement tables MAT. A step S1204 following the step S1203 storesinformation of the decoding-resultant parameters into the parametermemory 56E. The step S1204 is followed by the step S1300 in FIG. 78.

FIG. 80 shows the details of the block S1400 in FIG. 78. As shown inFIG. 80, the block S1400 includes a step S1401 which follows the stepS1300 in FIG. 78. The step S1401 decodes the audio packs into the audiosignal. A step S1402 following the step S1401 decodes the video packsinto the video signal. A step S1403 subsequent to the step S1402 decodesthe still-picture packs into the still-picture signal. A step S1404following the step S1403 decodes the real-time text (RTI) into thereal-time text signal. The step S1404 may also decode the discidentifier (EXT) into the disc identifier signal. The step S1404 isfollowed by the step S1500 in FIG. 78.

The unpacking apparatus in FIG. 76 may be modified to have a read/writememory which stores the control program for the CPU in the controlcircuit 59E. A recording medium may be prepared which stores the controlprogram for the CPU in the control circuit 59E. In this case, theread/write memory in the unpacking apparatus is loaded with the controlprogram from the recording medium, and then the CPU in the controlcircuit 59E is started to implement a desired unpacking process inaccordance with the control program.

Thirteenth Embodiment

A thirteenth embodiment of this invention is based on the seventhembodiment thereof. According to the thirteenth embodiment of thisinvention, a still picture set SPS or an audio still video set ASVS inFIG. 32 is designed as follows.

With reference to FIG. 81, the audio still video set ASVS (the stillpicture set SPS) has a sequence of audio still video set (ASVS)information ASVSI, an audio still video object set ASVOBS (a stillpicture object set SPOBS), and backup audio still video set informationASVSI. The audio still video set information ASVSI has a sequence ofaudio still video unit information ASVUI, an audio still video addressmap ASV-ADMAP, and a stuffing area “ooh”.

FIG. 82 shows the details of the audio still video unit informationASVUI in FIG. 81. The audio still video unit information ASVUI has 888bytes. As shown in FIG. 82, the audio still video unit information ASVUIhas a sequence of a 12-byte ASVS identifier ASVS-ID, a 2-byte ASVUnumber, a 2-byte reserved area, a 4-byte ASVOBS start address, a 4-byteASVOBS end address, a 2-by-4-byte area for ASVU attributes #0-#3, a4-by-16-byte area for ASVOBS sub picture pallets #0-#15, and an8-by-99-byte area for ASVU general information pieces ASVU#1-#99.

As shown in FIG. 83, the audio still video address map ASV-ADMAP (seeFIG. 81) has a sequence of “m” audio still video units ASVU#1-#m. Theaudio still video units ASVU#1-#m include start addresses respectively.

As shown in FIG. 84, the audio still video object set ASVOBS (see FIG.81) has a sequence of audio still video units ASVU#1, ASVU#2, . . . .Each of the audio still video units ASVU#1, ASVU#2, . . . is formed by asequence of audio still video objects ASVOB#1, ASVOB#2, . . . . Each ofthe audio still video objects ASVOB#1, ASVOB#2, . . . corresponds topresentation data for one audio still video (ASV). Generally, each ofthe audio still video objects ASVOB#1, ASVOB#2, . . . includes highlight(HLT) information, sub picture (SP) data, and still picture (SPCT) data.Specifically, each of the audio still video objects ASVOB#1, ASVOB#2, .. . has a sequence of an HLI pack loaded with highlight information, anSP pack loaded with sub picture data, and a SPCT pack loaded with stillpicture data.

Only one still picture data piece may be placed in one audio still videoobject ASVOB. Only one highlight information piece may be placed in oneaudio still video object ASVOB. Generally, a highlight information pieceis used to operate a button for a still picture. One, two, or three subpicture data pieces may be placed in one audio still video object ASVOB.In this case, the number of sub picture data pieces in one audio stillvideo object ASVOB depends on a still picture mode. Generally, subpicture data pieces are used to indicate buttons for still pictures.

The audio still video object set ASVOBS in FIG. 84 may be modified intoa version of FIG. 85. In the audio still video object set ASVOBS of FIG.85, each of audio still video objects ASVOB#1, ASVOB#2, . . . has asequence of an HLI pack and a SPCT pack loaded with still picture data.The HLI pack is formed by an empty pack, and does not have highlightinformation. Accordingly, in the audio still video object set ASVOBS ofFIG. 85, each of the audio still video objects ASVOB#1, ASVOB#2, . . .substantially has only a SPCT pack.

As shown in FIG. 86, a highlight (HLI) pack has a sequence of a 14-bytepack header, a system header, a highlight information packet, and a1312-byte padding packet. The system header has a sequence of a 4-bytesystem start code, 2-byte header length information, 3-byte rate boundinformation, 2-byte audio bound information, a 1-byte limitation flag,and 9-byte stream ID (identification) information. The highlightinformation packet has a sequence of a 6-byte packet header, a 1-bytesub stream ID (identification) information, and 694-byte highlightinformation (ASV-HLI).

As shown in FIG. 87, the highlight information (ASV-HLI) includes22-byte ASV highlight general information, an 8-by-3-byte button colorinformation table, and an 18-by-36-byte ASV button information table.The ASV button information table has ASV button information piecesASV-BTNI#1-#n. Each of the ASV button information pieces ASV-BTNI#1-#nincludes ASV button position information ASV-BTN-POSI, ASV adjacentbutton position information ASV-AJBTN-POSI, and an ASV button commandASV-BTN-CMD. The ASV button command ASV-BTN-CMD is a picture controlcommand. The ASV button command ASV-BTN-CMD includes a navigationcommand in connection with operation of a related button.

As shown in FIG. 88, a still-picture (SPCT) pack has a pack header and a2025-byte still-picture packet. The pack header is followed by thestill-picture packet. The pack header has a sequence of a 4-byte packstart code, 6-byte SCR (system clock reference) information, 3-byte muxrate information, 9-byte or 22-byte information of a pack stuffinglength.

As shown in FIG. 89, the still-picture packet has a sequence of a packetheader and still-picture data. A first 9-byte area or a starting 9-bytearea of the packet header is loaded with a mandatory SPCT packetinformation piece. Only in the case where the still-picture packet inquestion is first one related to a still picture, the 9-byte SPCT packetinformation piece is followed by 5+5-byte SPCT packet informationpieces. Only in the case where the still-picture packet in question isfirst one related to an audio still video object ASVOB, the 9-byte SPCTpacket information piece or the 5+5-byte SPCT packet information piecesare followed by a 3-byte SPCT packet information piece.

As shown in FIG. 90, a sub picture (SP) pack has a pack header and a2025-byte sub-picture packet. The pack header is followed by thesub-picture packet. The pack header has a sequence of a 4-byte packstart code, 6-byte SCR (system clock reference) information, 3-byte muxrate information, 9-byte or 22-byte information of a pack stuffinglength.

As shown in FIG. 91, the sub-picture packet has a sequence of a packetheader and sub-picture data. A first 9-byte area or a starting 9-bytearea of the packet header is loaded with a mandatory SP packetinformation piece. Only in the case where the sub-picture packet inquestion is first one in an SP unit, the 9-byte SP packet informationpiece is followed by a 5-byte SP packet information piece. Only in thecase where the sub-picture packet in question is first one related to anaudio still video object ASVOB, the 9-byte SP packet information pieceor the 5-byte SP packet information pieces is followed by a 3-byte SPpacket information piece.

With reference to FIG. 92, a main picture, a sub picture, and highlightinformation are combined into a mixed picture which is indicated on adisplay.

Fourteenth Embodiment

A fourteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the embodimentof FIGS. 32-67 except for design changes indicated later.

FIG. 93 shows the structure of data recorded on a DVD-Audio according tothe fourteenth embodiment of this invention. The data structure in FIG.93 includes a sequence of a structure of simple audio manager (astructure-of-simple audio manager) SAMG, an audio manager AMG, a stillpicture set SPS (an audio still video set ASVS), and plural audio titlesets ATS.

Each audio title set ATS has a sequence of audio title set (ATS)information ATSI, an audio only title audio object set AOTT-AOBS, andbackup audio title set information ATSI. The audio title set informationATSI has a sequence of an audio title set information management tableATSI-MAT, and an audio title set program chain information tableATS-PGCIT. As shown in FIG. 93, a still-picture control informationtable SPCIT is provided in the audio title set program chain informationtable ATS-PGCIT. The still-picture control information table SPCIT isalso referred to as the ATS audio still video playback informationATS-ASV-PBIT.

FIG. 94 shows the details of the ATS audio still video playbackinformation ATS-ASV-PBIT in FIG. 93. As shown in FIG. 94, the ATS audiostill video playback information ATS-ASV-PBIT has a sequence of ATS-ASVplayback information search pointers ATS-PG-PBI-SRP#1-#m, and ATS-ASVplayback information pieces ATS-ASV-PBI#1-#n. Here, “n” and “m” denotegiven natural numbers equal to or smaller than 99, and the number “n” isequal to or smaller than the number “m”.

As shown in FIG. 95, each of the ATS-ASV playback information searchpointers ATS-PG-PBI-SRP#1-#m (see FIG. 94) has 6 bytes. Specifically,each of the ATS-ASV playback information search pointersATS-PG-PBI-SRP#1-#m has a sequence of a 1-byte area representing an ASVUnumber, a 1-byte area representing a ASV display mode (ASV-DMOD), a2-byte area representing an ATS-ASV-PBI start address, and a 2-byte arearepresenting an ATS-ASV-PBI end address. The ASVU number is in the rangeof “1” to “99”.

FIG. 96 shows the details of the ASV display mode (ASV-DMOD) in FIG. 95.As shown in FIG. 96, the ASV display mode (ASV-DMOD) has a sequence ofeight bits b7, b6, b5, b4, b3, b2, b1, and b0. A set of the bits b7, b6,b5, and b4 is reserved. A set of the bits b3 and b2 represents a displaytiming mode. A set of the bits b1 and b0 represents a display ordermode.

The display timing mode represented by the bits b3 and b2 in FIG. 96 canbe changed between a first type corresponding to “slide shows” and asecond type corresponding to “browsable pictures”. A bit sequence of“00” is assigned to the first type. A bit sequence of “01” is assignedto the second type.

The display order mode represented by the bits b1 and b0 in FIG. 96 canbe changed among a first type corresponding to “sequential”, a secondtype corresponding to “random”, and a third type corresponding to“shuffle”. A bit sequence of “00” is assigned to the first type. A bitsequence of “01” is assigned to the second type. A bit sequence of “11”is assigned to the third type.

As shown in FIG. 97, each of the ATS-ASV playback information piecesATS-ASV-PBI#1-#n (see FIG. 94) includes “k” 10-byte ASV display lists#1-#k where “k” denotes a predetermined natural number in the range of“1” to “99”.

FIG. 98 shows an example of the contents of one ASV display list in FIG.97 which occurs in the case where the display timing mode in FIG. 96corresponds to “slide shows” and the display order mode in FIG. 96corresponds to “sequential”. As shown in FIG. 98, the ASV display listhas a sequence of 10 bytes, that is, 80 bits b79, b78, b77, . . . , b1,b0. A set of the bits b79, b78, b77, b76, b75, b74, b73, and b72represents an ASV number. A set of the bits b71, b70, b69, b68, b67,b66, b65, and b64 is reserved. A set of the bits b63, b62, b61, b60,b59, b58, b57, and b56 represents a button number (FOSL-BTNN), that is,an identification number of a button which is forcedly selected at anASV start. A set of the bits b55, b54, b53, b52, b51, b50, b49, and b48represents a program number, that is, an identification number of aprogram which is played back at the ASV start. A set of the bits b47,b46, b45, . . . , b17, and b16 represents a display start timing whichis in the range between “31” and “0”. A set of the bits b15, b14, b13,and b12 represents a start effect mode. A set of the bits b11, b10, b9,and b8 represents a start effect time period which is in the rangebetween “3” and “0”. A set of the bits b7, b6, b5, and b4 represents anend effect mode. A set of the bits b3, b2, b1, and b0 represents an endeffect time interval which is in the range between “3” and

The display start timing represented by the bits b47, b46, b45, . . . ,b17, and b16 in FIG. 98 is variable in the range between “31” and “0”.This timing range corresponds to a normal time range of 31-0/90000second.

The start effect mode represented by the bits b15, b14, b13, and b12 inFIG. 98 can be selected from among “cut in”, “fade in”, “dissolve”,“wipe from top”, “wipe from bottom”, “wipe from left”, “wipe fromright”, “wipe diagonal left”, and “wipe diagonal right”. Specifically, abit sequence “0000” is assigned to “cut in”. A bit sequence “0001” isassigned to “fade in”. A bit sequence “0010” is assigned to “dissolve”.A bit sequence “0011” is assigned to “wipe from top”. A bit sequence“0100” is assigned to “wipe from bottom”. A bit sequence “0101” isassigned to “wipe from left”. A bit sequence “0110” is assigned to “wipefrom right”. A bit sequence “0111” is assigned to “wipe diagonal left”.A bit sequence “1000” is assigned to “wipe diagonal right”.

The end effect mode represented by the bits b7, b6, b5, and b4 in FIG.98 can be selected from among “cut out”, “fade out”, “dissolve”, “wipefrom top”, “wipe from bottom”, “wipe from left”, “wipe from right”,“wipe diagonal left”, and “wipe diagonal right”. Specifically, a bitsequence “0000” is assigned to “cut out”. A bit sequence “0001” isassigned to “fade out”. A bit sequence “0010” is assigned to “dissolve”.A bit sequence “0011” is assigned to “wipe from top”. A bit sequence“0100” is assigned to “wipe from bottom”. A bit sequence “0101” isassigned to “wipe from left”. A bit sequence “0110” is assigned to “wipefrom right”. A bit sequence “0111” is assigned to “wipe diagonal left”.A bit sequence “1000” is assigned to “wipe diagonal right”.

FIG. 99 shows an example of the contents of one ASV display list in FIG.97 which occurs in the case where the display timing mode in FIG. 96corresponds to “slide shows” and the display order mode in FIG. 96corresponds to “random” or “shuffle”. The ASV display list in FIG. 99 issimilar to the ASV display list in FIG. 98 except that a set of the bitsb79, b78, b77, b76, b75, b74, b73, and b72 is reserved.

FIG. 100 shows an example of the contents of one ASV display list inFIG. 97 which occurs in the case where the display timing mode in FIG.96 corresponds to “browsable pictures” and the display order mode inFIG. 96 corresponds to “sequential”. The ASV display list in FIG. 100 issimilar to the ASV display list in FIG. 98 except that a set of the bitsb55, b54, b53, b52, b51, b50, b49, and b48 is reserved.

FIG. 101 shows an example of the contents of one ASV display list inFIG. 97 which occurs in the case where the display timing mode in FIG.96 corresponds to “browsable pictures” and the display order mode inFIG. 96 corresponds to “random” or “shuffle”. The ASV display list inFIG. 101 is similar to the ASV display list in FIG. 98 except that a setof the bits b79, b78, b77, b76, b75, b74, b73, and b72, and also a setof the bits b55, b54, b53, b52, b51, b50, b49, and b48 are reserved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recording medium storing a signal formatted ina data structure which comprises: an audio title set (ATS) containing aplurality of audio objects (AOB); and a still-picture set (SPS); theaudio objects (AOB) including a first audio object and a second audioobject, the first audio object including first packs having real databeing pieces of audio data, the second audio object including firstpacks having real data being pieces of the audio data and second packshaving real data being real-time information data relating to the audiodata; the still picture set (SPS) including a third pack containingstill-picture data relating to the audio data; the audio title set (ATS)including audio title set information (ATSI) containing first controlinformation (ATS-PGCIT) for successively reproducing the audio objects(AOB) in a prescribed reproduction order; and the audio title setinformation (ATSI) including second control information (SPCIT) for pagecontrol of the still-picture data in the still-picture set (SPS).
 2. Arecording medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the second controlinformation (SPCIT) includes n playback information lists (PBI#1-#n) andm playback search pointers (PBI-SRP#1-#m) containing information piecesabout display modes of the still-picture data, and m denotes a firstnatural number and n denotes a second natural number equal to or smallerthan the first natural number.
 3. A recording medium as recited in claim1, wherein the first control information (ATS-PGCIT) includes attributedata for reproducing the pieces of the audio data in the first packs asan analog signal.
 4. A recording medium as recited in claim 1, whereinthe audio title set information (ATSI) includes mode identificationinformation representing a mode selected among a mode corresponding toreproduction of a still-picture on a browsable pictures and sequentialbasis, a mode corresponding to reproduction of a still-picture on abrowsable pictures and sequential basis, a mode corresponding toreproduction of a still picture on a browsable pictures andrandom/shuffle basis, a mode corresponding to reproduction of astill-picture on a slide shows and sequential basis, and a modecorresponding to reproduction of a still-picture on a slide shows andrandom/shuffle basis.
 5. A recording medium as recited in claim 1,wherein the first control information (ATS-PGCIT) represents an encodingmode related to the pieces of the audio data in the first packs.
 6. Arecording medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the first packs includeattribute data for reproducing the pieces of the audio data in the firstpacks as an analog signal.
 7. A recording medium as recited in claim 1,wherein one of the second packs and the third pack includes sideinformation for page control of a still-picture represented by thestill-picture data in the third pack.
 8. An audio signal encodingapparatus comprising: first means for converting an analog audio signalinto corresponding audio data of a digital form; and second means forgenerating second data of a data structure in response to the audio datagenerated by the first means; wherein the data structure comprises: anaudio title set (ATS) containing a plurality of audio objects (AOB); anda still-picture set (SPS); the audio objects (AOB) including a firstaudio object and a second audio object, the first audio objectconsisting of first packs having real data being pieces of audio data,the second audio object including first packs having real data beingpieces of the audio data and second packs having real data beingreal-time information data relating to the audio data; the still-pictureset (SPS) including a third pack containing still-picture data relatingto the audio data; the audio title set (ATS) including audio title setinformation (ATSI) containing first control information (ATS-PGCIT) forsuccessively reproducing the audio objects (AOB) in a prescribedreproduction order; the audio title set information (ATSI) includingsecond control information (SPCIT) for page control of the still-picturedata in the still-picture set (SPS).
 9. An audio signal encodingapparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the second control information(SPCIT) includes n playback information lists (PBI#1-#n) and m playbacksearch pointers (PBI-SRP#1-#m) containing information pieces aboutdisplay modes of the still-picture data, and m denotes a first naturalnumber and n denotes a second natural number equal to or smaller thanthe fist natural number.
 10. An apparatus for decoding a signal recordedon the recording medium comprising: first means for decoding audio titleset information (ATSI) into second control information (SPCIT) for pagecontrol of still-picture data, the audio title set information (ATSI)being in an audio title set (ATS) recorded on the recording medium;second means for decoding first and second packs in the audio title set(ATS) recorded on the recording medium, and a third pack being in astill-picture set (SPS) recorded on the recording medium into audiodata, real time information data and still-picture data, respectively;and third means for controlling and outputting the still-picture datagenerated by the second means in response to the second controlinformation (SPCIT) generated by the first means.
 11. A decodingapparatus for a signal recorded on a recording medium comprising: firstmeans for decoding audio title set information (ATSI) into secondcontrol information (SPCIT) for page control of still-picture data, theaudio title set information (ATSI) being in an audio title set (ATS)recorded on the recording medium; second means for extracting n playbackinformation lists (PBI#1-#n) and m playback search pointers(PBI-SRP#1-#m) containing information pieces about display modes ofstill-picture data from the second control information (SPCIT) generatedby the first means, wherein m denotes a first natural number and ndenotes a second natural number equal to or smaller than the firstnatural number; third means for decoding first and second packs in theaudio title set (ATS) recorded on the recording medium, and a third packbeing in a still-picture set (SPS) recorded on the recording medium intoaudio data, real time information data and still-picture data; andfourth means for outputting the still-picture data generated by thethird means in response to the display modes, the playback informationlists (PBI#1-#n), and the playback search pointers (PBI-SRP#1-#m)extracted by the second means.
 12. A method of transmitting an audiosignal, comprising the steps of: converting an analog audio signal intocorresponding audio data of a digital form; generating second data of adata structure in response to the audio data; packetizing the seconddata into a packet signal; and transmitting the packet signal via acommunication line; wherein the data structure comprises: an audio titleset (ATS) containing a plurality of audio objects (AOB); and astill-picture set (SPS); the audio objects (AOB) including a first audioobject and a second audio object, the first audio object consisting offirst packs having real data being pieces of audio data, the secondaudio object including first packs having real data being pieces of theaudio data and second packs having real data being real-time informationdata relating to the audio data; the still-picture (SPS) including athird pack containing still-picture data relating to the audio data; theaudio title set (ATS) including audio title set information (ATSI)containing first control information (ATS-PGCIT) for successivelyreproducing the audio objects (AOB) in a prescribed reproduction order;the audio title set information (ATSI) including second controlinformation (SPCIT) for page control of the still-picture data in thestill-picture set (SPS).
 13. A method as recited in claim 12, whereinthe second control information (SPCIT) includes “n” playback informationlists (PBI#1-#n) and “m” playback search pointers (PBI-SRP#1-#m)containing information pieces about display modes of the still-picturedata, and m denotes a first natural number and n denotes a secondnatural number equal to or smaller than the first natural number.
 14. Acompter product having a computer program containing instructions forexecuting the steps of: converting an analog audio signal intocorresponding audio data of a digital form; and generating second dataof a data structure in response to the audio data; wherein the datastructure comprises: an audio title set (ATS) containing a plurality ofaudio objects (AOB); and a still-picture set (SPS); the audio objects(AOB) including a first audio object and a second audio object, thefirst audio object consisting of first packs having real data beingpieces of audio data, the second audio object including first packshaving real data being pieces of the audio data and second packs havingreal data being real-time information data relating to the audio data;the still-picture set (SPS) including a third pack containingstill-picture data relating to the audio data; the audio title set (ATS)including audio title set information (ATSI) containing first controlinformation (ATS-PGCIT) for successively reproducing the audio objects(AOB) in a prescribed reproduction order; the audio title setinformation (ATSI) including second control information (SPCIT) for pagecontrol of the still-picture data in the still-picture set (SPS).
 15. Acomputer product as recited in claim 14, wherein the second controlinformation (SPCIT) includes n playback information lists (PBI#1-#n) andm playback search pointers (PBI-SRP#1-#m) containing information piecesabout display modes of the still-picture data, and m denotes a firstnatural number and n denotes a second natural number equal to or smallerthan the first natural number.
 16. A computer product containing aprogram for decoding a signal recorded on a recording medium, thecomputer program including program code for executing the steps of: a)decoding audio title set information (ATSI) into second controlinformation (SPCIT) for page control of still-picture data, the audiotitle set information (ATSI) being in an audio title set (ATS) recordedon the recording medium; b) decoding first and second packs in the audiotitle set (ATS) recorded on the recording medium, and a third pack in astill-picture set (SPS) recorded on the recording medium into audiodata, real time information data and still-picture data; and c)controlling and outputting the still-picture data generated by step b)in response to the second control information (SPCIT) generated by stepa).
 17. A computer product containing a program for decoding a signalrecorded on the recording medium, the computer program includingcomputer code for executing the steps of: a) decoding audio title setinformation (ATSI) into second control information (SPCIT) for pagecontrol of still-picture data, the audio title set information (ATSI)being in an audio title set (ATS) recorded on the recording medium; b)extracting n playback information lists (PBI#1-#n) and m playback searchpointers (PBI-SRP#1-#m) containing display modes of still-picture datafrom the second control information (SPCIT) generated by the step a),wherein m denotes a first natural number and n denotes a second naturalnumber equal to or smaller than the first natural number; c) decodingfirst and second packs in the audio title set (ATS) recorded on therecording medium, and a third pack in a still picture set (SPS) recordedon the recording medium into audio data, real time information data andstill-picture data; and d) outputting the still-picture data generatedby the step c) in response to the display modes, the playbackinformation lists (PBI#1-#n), and the playback search pointers(PBI-SRP#1-#m) extracted by the step b).
 18. A decoding apparatus for asignal recorded on a recording medium comprising: first means fordecoding audio title set information (ATSI) into second controlinformation (SPCIT) for page control of still-picture data, the audiotitle set information (ATSI) being in an audio title set (ATS) recordedon the recording medium; second means for extracting n playbackinformation lists (PBI#1-#n) and m playback search pointers(PBI-SRP#1-#m) containing information pieces about display modes ofstill-picture data from the second control information (SPCIT) generatedby the first means, wherein m denotes a first natural number and ndenotes a second natural number equal to or smaller than the firstnatural number; third means for decoding first, second, and third packsinto audio data, real-time information data, and still-picture data, thefirst and second packs being in the audio title set (ATS) recorded onthe recording medium, the third pack being in a still-picture set (SPS)recorded on the recording medium; fourth means for outputting the audiodata generated by the third means; and fifth means for outputting thestill-picture data generated by the third means in response to thedisplay modes, the playback information lists (PBI#1-#n), and theplayback search pointers (PBI-SRP#1-#m) extracted by the second means,and in synchronism with the audio data outputted by the fourth means.19. A computer program product for decoding a signal recorded on arecording medium, the computer program product including program codefor executing the steps of: a) decoding audio title set information(ATSI) into a second control information (SPCIT) for page control ofstill-picture data, the audio title set information (ATSI) being in anaudio title set (ATS) recorded on the recording medium; b) extracting nplayback information lists (PBI#1-#n) and m playback search pointers(PBI-SRP#1-#m) containing information pieces about display modes ofstill-picture data from the second control information (SPCIT) generatedfrom step a), wherein m denotes a first natural number and n denotes asecond natural number equal to or smaller than the first natural number;c) decoding first and second packs stored in the audio title set (ATS)recorded on the recording medium, and a third pack stored in astill-picture set (SPS) recorded on the recording medium to derive audiodata, real-time information data and still-picture data; d) outputtingthe audio data generated from step c); and e) outputting thestill-picture data generated from step c) in response to the displaymodes, the playback information lists (PBI#1-#n), and the playbacksearch pointers (PBI-SRP#1-#m) extracted by step b), and in synchronismwith the audio data outputted by step d).